The tale of Parker Grelecki from Georgia is undoubtedly a lovely illustration of a miracle that might actually be real, regardless of your belief in them. As his father explains, Little Parker’s journey is one of unwavering love.
Parker had hydrocephalus, a disorder that causes an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain, when he was born in 2008.
This meant that Parker’s brain only accounted for 5% of his skull, when normal babies’ brains make up 90–95%.
His parents were advised by the hospital to brace themselves for the worst, but it quickly became evident that their young son was not going to quit up.
a last-minute, ticketless date night at the Braves game.
Crysie Grelecki published this on Monday, October 8, 2018.
Most parents use the old saying, “We don’t care if it’s a boy or girl, all we want is for the baby to be healthy.”
As Crysie and Ryan Grelecki from Marietta, Georgia, can attest, not all parents have the benefit of raising a healthy child.
When they learned that Crysie was expecting in 2008, they were ecstatic. However, after one of the initial ultrasounds at 20 weeks into the pregnancy, the parents were given heartbreaking news.
Parker, their then-unborn kid, had a larger-than-normal head, which the nurse noted. She asked for help after realizing right away that something was amiss. Every physician who looked at Parker’s scans concurred that his condition was both grave and shocking.
Parker’s brain was found to have a blockage between its third and fourth ventricles, which prevented the spinal fluid from draining. Fluid was so accumulating and pressing Parker’s brain matter up against his skull. According to reports, the illness affects two out of every 1,000 babies born in the US.
Crysie Grelecki and Ryan Grelecki were astonished and worried to learn of their baby’s abnormalities. However, they did what any parent ought to do: they wholeheartedly supported their unborn kid.
“Throughout my pregnancy when I would let my thoughts spiral downward with thoughts of “what if” and just plan fear, God would remind me of a song. The lyrics that would play over and over in my head and fill me with His peace went like this – “God will make a way, when there seems to be no way, He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me … He will be my guide, hold me closely by His side, with love and strength for each new day God will make a way,” Crysie shared on her Facebook.
A newborn baby’s cranial cavity typically contains 5–10% fluid and 90–95% brain matter. Parker was born in September 2008 with only 8 millimeters of brain matter and more than 98% fluid.
At 39 weeks, he was delivered by caesarean section.
Naturally, Parker’s birth was a very tumultuous occasion. His future appeared dubious, and nobody knew if he would live at all, much less what kind of life he would lead.
Fortunately, his parents, who cherished their darling infant child above all else, provided him with amazing support.
“I was by his side the whole time—talking to him, praying over him, holding his hand, rubbing his head. That unconditional love just rushes over you, and here is this helpless baby that’s been entrusted to me and I can’t do anything for him,” Ryan told.
Medical professionals at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta began to ease the pressure and remove the extra fluid from his skull when he was just two days old. Parker’s brain was able to freely grow and develop as a result.
Today is Parker’s thirteenth birthday! Oh my god. As I’ve thought back on his life, his birth, and his first…
Crysie Grelecki posted this on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
Then he started to have procedures. Although they recognized they were up against a formidable obstacle, doctors performed craniofacial procedures to fix his malformed skull.
“Our goal was to go in and re-expand the skull, open the skull up and separate those bones that had grown together. And, that was basically what we did— getting the space for his brain to grow and grow normally,” recalls Joseph Williams, M.D., Chief of Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery at the hospital.
Parker was allowed to return home two weeks later. After four weeks, he started physical therapy.
Presenting our Miracle Child for the month of May!!! Parker Grelecki aka “Super Par Par the Rockstar”!!! #MCM
On Thursday, May 1, 2014, Auburn University Dance Marathon posted
Parker had recovered from seven successful surgeries by the time he reached his twentieth month of life, and everyone was in awe of his progress. It took Parker a while to sit and keep his head up, but in the end, he succeeded, according to mother Crysie.
Parker also bypassed the typical crawling phase and started walking immediately. The personnel at Atlanta’s Children’s Hospital, who eventually became like a “extension” of their own family, is largely responsible for Parker’s parents’ feelings of gratitude. Parker was genuinely adored by the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta staff.
The facility is well-known throughout the world for its rehabilitation program, and Parker’s recovery is just one of many incredible success stories.
Parker participated in numerous activities to aid in the development of his muscles in addition to the official therapy. For instance, he and his siblings attended swimming lessons and played tennis.
2015 CMN Allstar Parker Grelecki and Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne during our Children’s Miracle Network benefit sale!
On Wednesday, August 3, 2016, Tony Powers, Commissioner of the City of Decatur, posted
Parker is now nearly unrecognizable from the day of his birth, sporting glasses and a head full of golden hair. Today, this amazing youngster has far beyond the expectations of almost every medical professional. UGA Miracle claims that Parker does exceptionally well in school.
“He should also have trouble interacting with others and after meeting him for two minutes it is apparent God has given him a very engaging personality,” UGA writes.
Parker Grelecki, a living miracle, was born with less than 2% of his brain matter.
“As parents, we are beyond thankful to be Parker’s parents and continue to watch him progress and live out the Lord’s plans for him,” Ryan and Crysie Grelecki says.
We are pleased to introduce Parker Grelecki, the 2015 Ace and the newest member of the Ace family.
Ace Hardware published this on Friday, January 16, 2015.
He is a “chatterbox” and a “loving child,” according to his proud mother, and it is obvious that he feels the affection of everyone around him, including his biological family and the hospital staff.
Chase and Emily, Parker’s brother and sister, have also been a huge help. Chase and Emily are advocates for those who might not receive the respect they deserve since they grew up with a sibling who has special needs.
“As parents, Crysie and I have come to recognize that having two children born without complications is in fact a true miracle. Parker’s story has created a family full of miracles,” Ryan and Crysie Grelecki said.
Parker will turn 14 years old in September 2022. He has a lot of wonderful years ahead of him despite having experienced numerous things that most people won’t have to cope with in their lifetime. Parker has had a long-standing desire to become a sports pundit.
The brain that is so smart today and has the capacity to retain a vast quantity of sports knowledge is the same brain that has three pounds of fluid and less than 2% brain matter. Parker, who is naturally gifted, has also made multiple attempts at his ideal career.
He occasionally assists his local high school football team as an announcer. Witnesses claim that Parker is incredibly skilled at what he does and that his enthusiasm throughout the games is infectious.
Naturally, Parker’s challenges are directly related to his brain impairment, but considering who he has grown into, we believe he is both a real hero and an extremely inspirational individual. If I had even half of his outgoing and vivacious demeanor, I would be proud. He looks like such a nice boy!
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