Tell Me a Story: 5-Year-Old Boy's Rare Disease Brings Family Closer

Nothing can mature a young mother like watching her child go through an illness. Michelle Gardner was 17 when her son, Mikel Dijak, was born two months too early. He spent his first six weeks in the hospital and was diagnosed with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, a rare genetic disease that attacks his bone marrow, pancreas and skeleton. Bobby Rowe, Mikel's 27-year-old stepfather, says dealing with the disease has made them all grow up and realize what being a family is all about.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Tell Me a Story
• Cincinnati Children's
• Ronald McDonald House
• Shwachman-Diamond syndrome
• rare genetic disease
• pancreas
• bone marrow
• skeleton
• Mikel Dijak
• Michelle Gardner
• Bobby Rowe
• chemotherapy
• bone marrow transplant

[HoustonGal10]

Thank you for sharing this video Michelle. Bobby is a good man. I will continue to pray for you guys.

Marissa

[catholicmomof3]

Michelle, you have a beautiful family. Bobby is amazing, too! Thank you for sharing your story!

[MrLiz1968]

YOU ARE AN AMAZING FAMILY, YOU ARE DOING IT, MOMMY, DADDY AND SON!! MY HEART, HUGS, AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU AND ALL THE OTHER FAMILIES BATTLING ILLNESSES! <3