Current status

Thanks for stopping by! Our little trooper is doing well. He is now walking with out assistance (short distances), nearly running and dancing. It truly is amazing, and it still takes my breath away when I see him on his feet!

Zac's platelet levels have remained at a safe level (about 1/4 of the average child) since he was 3 1/2 months old!

Cai is the protective, helpful older brother...with the exception of those "normal" brotherly love moments;-)

All in all we are doing well, just dealing primarily with "normal" life challenges. We are so pleased to have gone through the past few years to be where we are now. It truly has been the best of times -the worst of times. We thank God, and our friends and family and all of you who have given in so many ways to help us through, we are so grateful!!!


Friday, July 16, 2010

High Point Enterprise article 7/16/2010

Help for Zac: Church fundraiser assists boy's family with medical expenses
by Jimmy Tomlin
18 hrs ago | 110 views | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend | print
SPECIAL | HPE  Four-year-old Zac Snider, born without arms and knee joints, can operate  a video game joystick with his feet.
SPECIAL | HPE Four-year-old Zac Snider, born without arms and knee joints, can operate a video game joystick with his feet.
slideshow
LEXINGTON – At age 4, Zac Snider invests much of his time in the same things as any other boy his age – video games and superheroes, for example – but he’s not just another 4-year-old.

What’s different about Zac is that he was born with no arms – his hands protrude from where his shoulders are – nor with knee joints.

The condition stems from a rare genetic disorder called TAR syndrome – short for thrombocytopenia and absent radius. Thrombocytopenia means low platelets in the blood, and absent radius refers to the missing forearm bones that are characteristic of the disorder.

“He’s able to walk with a walker now, and he uses his (power) wheelchair,” says Zac’s mom, LeAnn Snider. “We’ve also moved (from Archdale) to Lexington, and he has much better access in this home.”

As he has grown, Zac has learned to use his feet in some instances to compensate for not having arms. For example, a feature article in the Enterprise three years ago told how Zac, then only 8 months old, could play his toy xylophone by grabbing the mallet with his toes.

Today, it’s the joystick of his video games.

“He has a video game that he can play with his brother (Cai),” Snider says. “He plays with his leg braces off and moves the joystick with his feet.”

Zac continues to progress developmentally. He hasn’t required any major surgeries recently, though he may need surgery soon for his right ankle, which turns outward at a severe angle.

“We go back for a checkup in August, and we’ll find out then,” Snider says.

In the meantime, the Sniders’ church – Mount Zion Wesleyan in Thomasville – continues to support the family financially to assist with ongoing expenses.

On Saturday morning, for example, the men of the church will sponsor a pancake breakfast fundraiser for the family, with plates selling for $5 apiece. Donations will also be taken, and live entertainment will be provided by the Barry Ball Singers.

For more information, contact the church at 472-4239.

jtomlin@hpe.com | 888-3579

Read more: High Point Enterprise - Help for Zac Church fundraiser assists boy s family with medical expenses

No comments: