Joey was born September 6th, 1994 in Clinton Township.  Shortly after birth, it was discovered Joey had a heart problem as well as many Characteristic traits of Down's Syndrome.  We were told his best chance of survival was to 

transfer him to Children's Hospital, and that they had already called for the transport team from Children's.

 

The next time we saw Joey was when the transport team brought him into the room in an incubator with IV lines and

tubes all over him.  The team assured us he was in good hands.  Thus our affiliation with Children's hospital began.

 

As we met with the cardiologist we were told Joey had Tetralogy of Fallot which consists of 4 defects in the heart.  He needed surgery immediately, but the surgeons didn't think he was strong enough yet.  We were also told that he most likely has Down's Syndrome.

 

Joey had his first heart surgery at three days old with many more to follow.  His main repair was finally completed at 3 years old.  Due to many heart surgeries and Down's Syndrome, Joey's childhood milestones were achieved much later than normal.  With all he had gone through, Joey was a very happy and loving child, and Children's  Hospital was now a big part of his life.  The doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital all got to know Joey very well and greeted him with a smile and a hug.  Joey enjoyed visiting as we went for routine appointments as well as many hospitalizations due to illness. 

 

Joey touched so many lives in many different ways, all of which would have never been possible had it not been for the very gifted doctors who saved his life, as well as the nurses and staff who helped and supported him through everything.

 

The dedication and expertise of the doctors and nurses was always amazing.  It was such a comfort to have Dana, an ICU nurse who took care of him when he was born, with him 20 years later when the Lord called him home on

June 15 2015.

 

Joey's Family has purchased a tree from The Festival of Trees every year since his birth.  Joey would sit by the tree day after day listening to Christmas music and waiting for Santa to arrive. 

 

Every year a tree is designed in Joey's memory by his best friend Monica, with warm hugs.  Each tree has a Lenox ornament of Olaf, one of Joey's favorite characters.  Visit Joey's Corner at the Festival of Trees and see if you can 

find Olaf on Joey's tree.

 

Many of the ornaments on Joey's tree as well as past trees are for sale online.  All proceeds going to the Festival of Trees to fund pediatric research at Children's Hospital, in memory of Joey.

                                                                 

                                                                       Click on Joey and Olaf below to shop