McGwire Scott Hatlestad
Born 04/23/2006
Written by Mac and Family

Hi! My name is McGwire and I was diagnosed with CDG Type Ia when I was six months old. I am a little guy with a very big heart!! I just turned 2 in April and I love to eat Cheerios, Cheetos, Mac and Cheese, and ice cream. I eat food that my Mommy and Daddy give me with my hands. I mostly drink from a bottle, but I can drink from a cup if someone holds it for me. I like to hold a spoon, but getting it up to my mouth with food on it is too hard.
Mac during Summer 2008

Summer 2008

I am working on my muscle strength everyday. I can roll over and push up on my own, but I can't get to a sitting position independently yet. I get bored laying on my back so I tell everyone to sit me up. I have some babble sounds and I am really good at giggling and laughing. I enjoy playing with toys, but I prefer to interact with people. I really like to play with balls and I like turtles. I enjoy my chair and stander, but PT and OT make me work really hard and sometimes I cry. I have a one year old sister named Dalayne and I mostly enjoy her. Sometimes she bugs me and steals things away from me. I watch her all of the time and I want to do the same things she is doing. She even will give me Cheerios and brings me my blanket when I am sad. Together, we go outside for walks in the stroller. I love to be outside, especially in the Fall. I like to sit in swings at the park on my own and go down slides with my Mommy and Daddy. In the Summer, I love to swim in the pool. I only want to get out when I am really cold and my lips are blue.

Mac at Easter

Mac during Easter 2008
Because I have CDG, I get sick easily and am frequently in the hospital. The nurses all know me by first name and enjoy seeing me although they only get to see me when I am sick. Along with hospital visits, I also have seizures from time to time so I take daily medication to help control them. I really scare my Mommy and Daddy when I have a seizure. Although, I usually am just fine when the seizure is over. To end with, I want to say that I have excellent doctors who take such good care of me. I have been lucky to meet special doctors at Gillette Children's Hospital, Shriner's Hospital, and the University of Minnesota, along with my local physician. They have all gone above and beyond for me and I know that I am doing so well because of their excellent care and big hearts!

Thanks for reading about me!!
Love,
Mac

eff: 2008