Josh Keeton - Fall 2008

Three-year-old Josh Keeton from Tennessee is a sunny little fellow who loves to laugh and loves life. He enjoys going to school (a mother’s day out program at a local church), where he plays and plays with about 15 other kids his age. He’s learning his letters right now, and one of his favorite parts of the day is story time.

Josh is very creative and into anything artistic, whether it’s drawing, making crafts or singing songs. He’s also a member of his church choir and has already proven to be not only a great singer but a quick study. His teacher has remarked that he has a great musical memory.

Josh likes to play Star Wars and “superheroes” with this older brother Jacob. He also likes to play hide-and-seek and other fun games with older sister Caitlin. When it comes to TV programs, he watches “Dora the Explorer,” “Go, Diego, Go!” and “Backyardigans.” He also enjoys Little Einstein DVDs. Regardless of the show, he always gravitates toward the songs.

As any typical toddler, Josh loves sweets, especially chocolate. Apart from that, he’s a little bit of a picky eater. (Well, maybe more than a little!) His favorite food at the moment is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but only if it’s made a certain way. His mom, Amanda, uses a special tool that cuts the sandwich into a round shape and crimps the edges at the same time.

Josh has a mild form of hemifacial microsomia; the left side of his face is smaller. He underwent his first surgery when he was just three months old to repair a cleft lip. He’s also had some skin tags removed. When he gets older, around the time he hits puberty, Josh will have his next surgery, a jaw distraction. Hopefully Josh will only have to have one of those performed, but that depends on the rate of his growth.

He and his family went to their first CCA retreat this past summer in Myrtle Beach, SC. Josh, his brother and his sister had a great time meeting new friends and sharing fun times. In fact, he had so much fun Saturday night he was seen breakdancing on the dance floor! And there was a pretty good chance he was singing along to every song.

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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