Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Every push, every smile, every little victory, Grayson’s care team is right there cheering him on. At just three years old, this little boy is showing the world what determination looks like. Therapy sessions turn into celebrations, with clapping, laughter, and encouragement filling the room. For Grayson, therapy isn’t just about learning new skills, it’s about showing everyone the joyful, mischievous personality that shines through no matter what challenges come his way.
His journey so far
Grayson’s early story is one of survival. Born extremely premature, he spent his first months in the NICU fighting for his life. “Grayson is an amazing kiddo. He’s really overcome a ton of adversity. He was born extraordinarily premature. No one thought that he was going to really survive his early months, much less thrive in the way that he has,” said Dr. Natalie Darro, his pediatric comprehensive care physician. Despite those difficult beginnings, Grayson’s personality has blossomed. “He is joyful, he is playful and now is turning out to be a very mischievous, cheeky little friend who is always the life of the party and just a joy to care for and interact with,” Darro said. Although Grayson isn’t able to communicate verbally the way most children his age do, he is finding his own ways to connect. “He’s learning sign language now and starting to make more vocalizations. He’s not able to talk in the way that we are. But he really does understand and interacts with the team,” Darro explained. Grayson is also visually and hearing impaired, relying on glasses and hearing aids. Still, he doesn’t let that slow him down. He loves books, games, and playful moments that show just how much he understands about the world around him. “He plays and interacts like any other three-year-old does. He likes to have fun, likes to read books, likes to play all the time and very much also likes to push his caregivers,” Darro said with a smile.
Beyond expectations
For those who have walked beside him, Grayson’s progress has been nothing short of remarkable. “Grayson is always going to have challenges, 100%. He is never going to probably live fully independently. But the amount of progress he has made in the last three years has been honestly outstanding and past anyone’s expectations,” Darro said. Now, as Grayson prepares to enter preschool, his care team believes the possibilities ahead of him are wide open. “I think his potential is really unlimited. He’s going to continue to grow and thrive and blow us all away with his resiliency,” Darro said.
Ready for a forever family
As much as Grayson thrives in the hospital, his doctor knows he would flourish even more in a loving home. “I would love Grayson to be in a home with a family where he can experience things that other children get to: go to community outings, engage with the world. That’s something we can’t give him while he’s chronically in the hospital,” Darro said. She added that while he will always require medical care and support, what he truly needs is the warmth and stability of a family. “He’s absolutely capable of it. If anything, he’s proved the world wrong about his potential to continue to blow us all away,” Darro said.
How you can help Grayson find his forever family
Grayson is ready for a family who will celebrate his milestones, embrace his playful personality and walk alongside him in his journey. He has medical and educational services already in place to support his growth so that foster families don’t feel alone. His team will do everything to make sure he has a successful placement. To learn more about Grayson or explore adoption, please contact Raise the Future at 801-265-0444.
