Today it’s my pleasure to welcome guest blogger Scott Newport back to Different Dream. He’s here to talk about the work he continues to do on behalf of families raising kids with special needs. In this post, he describes the positive effect his son Evan’s short life had on his brother, Noah, many years after Evan, who lived with Noonan’s Syndrome<\/a><\/span>, went home to Jesus. <\/em><\/p>\n We had been transferred from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to a little four bed ward for sick children whose life depended on a breathing machine. Our family had lived in the hospital for eleven months and we were one step closer to taking Evan home where he would be able to die in the arms of those closest to him.<\/p>\n \u201cKids like Evan usually don\u2019t live past the age of two,\u201d was the agreed diagnosis by the staff.<\/p>\n Noah, Evan\u2019s big brother had just turned five and the University of Michigan\u2019s C. S. Mott Children\u2019s Hospital<\/span><\/a> was kind enough to let us celebrate his birthday in the family resource center on the top floor. Since we had graduated from the PICU we were able to see some of the other sick but somewhat stable kids up and moving about.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, guys my name is Mike. Is it okay if I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n Mike looked to be about seven years old and a nurse was toting him around the 5th floor. He was pretty much bandaged from head to toe on the right side and we learned later his mom was in jail for pouring scolding water all over him. For some unknown reason he wanted to visit our particular ward that day. The room was neatly packed with four kids on ventilators, two nurses, one respiratory therapist, and four matching machines pulsing to the sound of life.<\/p>\n Mike seemed to know his way around and the staff was trying to fill in as his only family. I could tell he had been there awhile and seemed to be a seasoned veteran.<\/p>\n Within a few days we got used to Mike stopping by and soon discovered Noah and I could go to his room and take him for a lap around the floor in his wheel chair that is, after we stood by and coached him during daily bandage change. I guess we were his reward if he could get through the excoriating pain of having the encrusted gauze ripped form his tender skin.<\/p>\n Noah seemed to really like Mike, often challenging him to a race. I would push Mike and Noah would run like crazy. We would start at the busy nurse\u2019s station. Noah would take off to the right, and Mike and I would go to the left. The fifth floor was lined with rooms in the shape of a square. Who ever tagged the desk first was the winner. It\u2019s kind of funny as I think back now because many times we never finished the race. You see, many of Evan\u2019s doctors would see Noah running and would often stop him for a high five and a little chat.<\/p>\n One day I sat with Evan in my arms, making sure I was carful not to pull any wire or hoses from his body. I watched through the door as Mike and Noah exchanged jokes out in the hall. In that moment it was like looking through a special window. The window allowed me to take a peak what the future may look like for Noah. Noah would surely be a great big brother and no matter how sick or disabled someone may be I was confident he would protect them and honor them as any other human being.<\/p>\n This past year Noah finished the eighth grade and is now fourteen years old. About a month ago we received a letter in the mail about a community Rising Star Award. At the banquet we discovered he was nominated by his eighth grade English teacher. The award was for local children overcoming adversity. Noah said later on the ride home, \u201cI guess I got this because of Evan.\u201d Penni and I both nodded.<\/p>\n The following week at the middle school graduation, his name was called again for the Royal Oak Middle School Caring Award. The principle said. \u201cNoah is always willing to help the other kids around him and often heard saying, \u2018One day I will be a doctor and will find a cure for the disease that took my brother three years ago.\u2019”<\/p>\n At the graduation while sitting back that special window opened again, just like when I watched him and Mike all those years ago. I couldn\u2019t be prouder of Noah. Even though the pain of losing a son and a brother will never go away I am comforted by knowing Evan\u2019s life did matter and Noah is the proof of that.<\/p>\n Just this last week C.S. Mott Children\u2019s Hospital<\/span><\/a> had their first ever Sibling Award ceremony inspired by the story above. And as you may have guessed it is called The Windows Award.\u00a0 The tag line is \u201cViewing siblings through the framework of our Mott kids.\u201d I made three windows for the occasion and a photographer took pictures with the kids looking through the frames.<\/p>\n This was just another way to remind me Evan\u2019s life did and still does have meaning; an inspiration I need and something for all the brothers and sisters like Noah to help keep them succeeding even with in the most difficult times of their young lives.<\/p>\n Want to brag about the siblings of your child with special needs? Now’s your chance to leave a shout out in the comments box. I can’t wait to hear about your kids!<\/p>\n Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ background_color=”#b4dbc0″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl9hcmNoaXZlIn19@” image=”http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/Scott-by-the-pond.jpg” icon_placement=”left” image_max_width=”100px” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.10.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” header_font=”Rubik|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#44465f” header_font_size=”14px” header_line_height=”32px” body_font=”Rubik||||||||” body_text_color=”rgba(0,6,69,0.6)” body_link_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400;” border_radii_image=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” border_color_all_image=”#ffffff” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical_image=”20px” box_shadow_blur_image=”40px” box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(68,70,95,0.27)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Scott Newport is a carpenter who has a vision for unwanted, damaged wood. His finds are treasures to his soul. Each discovery he makes unfolds into a beautiful piece of furniture for which he finds a home, usually with a child or caregiver of a child with special needs. He writes about the life lessons he learns from his 3 children, especially from Evan who died in November of 2009 after 7 years of joyful life. To access all of Scott\u2019s guest posts, click on the magnifying glass at the top of the page and type \u201cScott Newport\u201d in the search box.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#42313A” button_bg_color=”#EBDCB2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_comments][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#42313A” background_color_gradient_end=”#EBDCB2″ background_color_gradient_direction=”159deg” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#1c1259″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”25px|0px|5px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”horizontal_optin_column_1″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_text_align=”right” header_text_color=”#45107a” header_3_font=”Dancing Script|700|||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#B4DBC0″ header_3_font_size=”45px” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”JolenePhilo|89f719a52b” layout=”bottom_top” first_name_fullwidth=”off” last_name_field=”off” email_fullwidth=”off” module_class=”custom_emailoptin” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ form_field_focus_background_color=”#42313A” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#42313A” button_bg_color=”#B4DBC0″ button_border_width=”2px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_margin=”5px||||false|false” button_custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_width_all_fields=”2px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_signup][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_font=”EB Garamond|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#B6452C” header_font_size=”50px” header_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”3″ include_categories=”current” show_more=”on” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_text_color=”#42313A” meta_font=”||on||||||” read_more_font=”|||on|||||” read_more_text_color=”#B6452C” read_more_font_size=”12px” pagination_text_color=”#B6452C” pagination_font_size=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Parents often worry about siblings of kids with special needs. Scott Newport’s post highlights the positives about siblings and special needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10602,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"[caption id=\"attachment_10602\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]Windows
By Scott Newport, proud dad<\/h3>\nSiblings and Special Needs: A Window into the Past<\/h4>\n
Siblings and Special Needs: A Window into the Present<\/h4>\n
Siblings and Special Needs: A Window into the Heart<\/h4>\n
Siblings and Special Needs Shout Out<\/h3>\n
Subscribe for Updates from Jolene<\/h3>\n
Related Posts<\/h1>\n
![\"Parents](\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/window-and-noah-and-evan.jpg\")
<\/a> Noah holding a picture of him and his little brother Evan.[\/caption]\n\nToday it's my pleasure to welcome guest blogger Scott Newport<\/a> back to Different Dream. He's here to talk about the work he continues to do on behalf of families raising kids with special needs. In this post, he describes the positive effect his son Evan's short life had on his brother, Noah, many years after Evan, who lived with Noonan's Syndrome<\/a>, went home to Jesus. <\/em>\nWindows\nBy Scott Newport, proud dad<\/h3>\nWe had been transferred from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to a little four bed ward for sick children whose life depended on a breathing machine. Our family had lived in the hospital for eleven months and we were one step closer to taking Evan home where he would be able to die in the arms of those closest to him.\n\n\u201cKids like Evan usually don\u2019t live past the age of two,\u201d was the agreed diagnosis by the staff.\n
Siblings and Special Needs: A Window into the Past<\/h4>\nNoah, Evan\u2019s big brother had just turned five and the University of Michigan\u2019s C. S. Mott Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a> was kind enough to let us celebrate his birthday in the family resource center on the top floor. Since we had graduated from the PICU we were able to see some of the other sick but some what stable kids up and moving about.\n\n\u201cHey guys my name is Mike, is it okay if I come in?\u201d\n\nMike looked to be about seven years old and a nurse was toting him around the 5th floor. He was pretty much bandaged from head to toe on the right side and we learned later his mom was in jail for pouring scolding water all over him. For some unknown reason he wanted to visit our particular ward that day. The room was neatly packed with four kids on ventilators\u2019, two nurses, one respiratory therapist and four matching machines pulsing to the sound of life.\n\nMike seemed to know his way around and the staff was trying to fill in as his only family. I could tell he had been there awhile and seemed to be a seasoned veteran.\n\nWithin a few days we got used to Mike stopping by and soon discovered Noah and I could go to his room and take him for a lap around the floor in his wheel chair that is, after we stood by and coached him during daily bandage change. I guess we were his reward if he could get through the excoriating pain of having the encrusted gauze ripped form his tender skin.\n\nNoah seemed to really like Mike, often challenging him to a race. I would push Mike and Noah would run like crazy. We would start at the busy nurse\u2019s station. Noah would take off to the right, and Mike and I would go to the left. The fifth floor was lined with rooms in the shape of a square. Who ever tagged the desk first was the winner. It\u2019s kind of funny as I think back now because many times we never finished the race. You see, many of Evan\u2019s doctors would see Noah running and would often stop him for a high five and a little chat.\n\nOne day I sat with Evan in my arms, making sure I was carful not to pull any wire or hoses from his body. I watched through the door as Mike and Noah exchanged jokes out in the hall. In that moment it was like looking through a special window. The window allowed me to take a peak what the future may look like for Noah. Noah would surely be a great big brother and no matter how sick or disabled someone may be I was confident he would protect them and honor them as any other human being.\n
Siblings and Special Needs: A Window into the Present<\/h4>\nThis past year Noah finished the eighth grade and is now fourteen years old. About a month ago we received a letter in the mail about a community Rising Star Award. At the banquet we discovered he was nominated by his eighth grade English teacher. The award was for local children overcoming adversity. Noah said later on the ride home, \u201cI guess I got this because of Evan.\u201d Penni and I both nodded.\n\nThe following week at the middle school graduation, his name was called again for the Royal Oak Middle School Caring Award. The principle said. \u201cNoah is always willing to help the other kids around him and often heard saying, \u2018One day I will be a doctor and will find a cure for the disease that took my brother three years ago.\u2019\"\n\nAt the graduation while sitting back that special window opened again, just like when I watched him and Mike all those years ago. I couldn\u2019t be prouder of Noah. Even though the pain of losing a son and a brother will never go away I am comforted by knowing Evan\u2019s life did matter and Noah is the proof of that.\n
Siblings and Special Needs: A Window into the Heart<\/h4>\nJust this last week C.S. Mott Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a> had their first ever Sibling Award ceremony inspired by the story above. And as you may have guessed it is called The Windows Award.\u00a0 The tag line is \u201cViewing siblings through the framework of our Mott kids.\u201d I made three windows for the occasion and a photographer took pictures with the kids looking through the frames.\n\nThis was just another way to remind me Evan\u2019s life did and still does have meaning; an inspiration I need and something for all the brothers and sisters like Noah to help keep them succeeding even with in the most difficult times of their young lives.\n
Siblings and Special Needs Shout Out<\/h3>\nWant to brag about the siblings of your child with special needs? Now's your chance to leave a shout out in the comments box. I can't wait to hear about your kids!\n\nDo you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.<\/em>","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[3559,3581,3583],"tags":[3906,3616,1038,2703],"class_list":["post-10601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-different-dream","category-grief","category-spiritual-support","tag-cs-mott-childrens-hospital","tag-noonans-syndrome","tag-scott-newport","tag-siblings"],"yoast_head":"\n