Ayrie was a four year old that suffered from recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Benign tumors (also called papillomas or lesions in the medical literature) developed on Ayrie’s vocal chords. He had twenty-one surgical procedures in the last thirty-one months and died on September 29th, 2010, the night before his 22nd surgery.
Ayrie was only able to speak above a whisper for about two-thirds of his life. He struggled to be heard and understood, and was often unintentionally ignored or misunderstood.
But Ayrie was a beautiful, engaging, brights, spirited and happy boy. His disease did not define him, but it made him wise beyond his years.
We are going to miss him so much that the pain is going to be unbearable at times. I have already found myself doubled up on the floor of the hospital hallway and I don’t think the worst has begun. As I write this on 9/30/10 I still carry a lot of numbness and disbelief. A lot of people have asked how they can help. We are going to need a lot of help… company, meals, housecleaning, babysitting…. Many days in the near future we are going to be grieving to much to do even the most simple of things.
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- Ayrie, Shiya and Nora’s Helpers
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