About Orion Theodore

Skyler, Orion and Anastasia in Driftwood, TX, 9/28/2014.
Clare Cassidy Photography

"O-3", 

Also known as Orion Theodore,
Lovingly called "O-T" most of his first four years, 

Took his first breath the evening of July 19, 2010, 

Long and lean with snowy white hair and lashes,

Ice-melting smile, rich laughter,

Has a self-amusing sense of humor,

Little brother of Skyler and Anastasia,

Youngest son of Thomas and Heather,

All relocated to Austin from Metro DC Maryland,

His family is Deaf except for his sister,

Profoundly deaf and only his right eye has some light perception,

Plastic jewels we call scleral shells goes over his micro eyes,

Wears white bilateral cochlear implants that frequently fall off,

Enjoys hearing danceable music, rhythm and voices, vocalizing his own sounds,

Predictable tickles, swinging and wind in his hair bring giggles and happy feet,

Would welcome eating cupcake after cupcake with his own hands,

Learns through experience, routines, thus object symbols, touch cues and then tactile signs,

His body does not follow the conventional 24-hour day, 

Often stays/wakes up at night "partying" at Mom and Dad's expense,

He has mild osteopetrosis, also known as dense bones,

Although he can sit, he loves to lay around and lean on people,

He will explore objects within reach,

Especially HOLES,

We need to help him learn to get up, down, crawl and walk,

In spite of loud crying objections during physical therapy,

So he can have stronger bones and muscles

And then explore his world some more!

Created by Mom,

a.k.a. Heather Withrow

January 6, 2013

[Edited March 21, 2013 and January 19, 2016]

Orion's song

Anastasia and I had fun with the Bingo song modified to Orion's song:

There was a little boy with white hair,

And Orion was his name-o,

O, R, I-O-N

O, R, I-O-N

O, R, I-O-N

And Orion was his name-o!

November 2, 2011

Orion with his sibs, Skyler and Anastasia, April 2013.
Photo by Michael J. Samaripa