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Globe writer Ian Brown writes about life with his son Walker in his intensely personal story The Boy in the Moon.

Your comments and feedback can be submitted here. A selection of responses will appear below.

Linda Sepp from Toronto writes: Thank you for sharing your story. What an incredibly difficult journey it is for all of you. It's really difficult to describe what I feel from reading this, so I know it comes nowhere near to what you have been through. I apologize for my clumsiness here.
When you described how being up north away from it all made a difference, it made me wonder if Walker has ever shown any response or aversion to things like plastics, perfumes or fabric softeners? Sometimes exposures to some of these substances can cause extreme reactions, physically and neurologically.
I wonder if trying fragrance free products around the house could make him more comfortable?

Kelly Fitzgerald from Sudbury, Ont. writes: Wow ... after reading this touching story I was left with so many emotions, that cannot even begin to compare to what the parents and family of Walker must feel on a daily basis. To have a snapshot into the world of a family that has been left with so many challenges, and the few blessed moments of hope and love for their son, has left me with a lump in my throat..for many of us, after reading this, we can only reflect upon our own lives, our own blessings and the minor challenges that seem so miniscule in comparison. The words of Walker's dad are piercingly honest and heart-felt, with moments of desperation and longing for a better life for them and their son. I look forward to reading more on this amazing boy and his family.

John Meech, from Delta, B.C. writes: What a powerful story. My heart goes out to you and your family and to Walker. It is indeed special people who learn to live with this type of affliction in their child. Yet I am sure you do not consider yourselves special, but would rather have a 'normal' life whatever that state may be.

The strength it takes to cope with your son's problems and then deal with all the other 'problems' that each of us face each and every day is incredible. It puts into sharp perspective that what we consider trouble pales in comparison.

I will pray for you and Walker tonight.

Ash Land, from Canada writes: I worked in home care for a few years and visited a family with a toddler who was also born with a life altering syndrome. Their day to day life was as you describe, and it was so difficult for them to explain to others how enormously all encompassing and endless the care of their child was. I remember the mom telling me in excruciating detail how she spent the first hour of her day, every day, prepping medicines, syringes, washing feeding tubes, laundry and therapy materials, making breakfast and lunch for family, and so on. I felt a palpable sense of relief when I left their house that day.

Family and friends did not, or could not, help out very much and the family lived in this lonely, frightened state of feeling that life was passing them, guilt for wishing their child had died at birth and that their elder child was being ignored. We tried to cobble together a plan that gave them some respite but it could never be enough.

They desperately wanted the life of their child to mean something and that search for meaning is the part in your article that I responded to the most. Thank you Ian Brown and family.

Lesley from Kingston writes: As ever, I am humbled by the depth and breadth of the human condition; by both the joy and sorrow. Here's hoping the soundproof curtain has been lifted in the telling -- thank you for sharing - I will hug my own children a little tighter tonight.