THIS 14-YEAR-OLD HAS AN INCURABLE DISEASE. BUT HE SMILES THROUGH IT ALL.
Sean was diagnosed in second grade with chronic ITP, or immune thrombocytopenia, a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks platelets —the cells that help blood to clot. If the platelet count dips too low, it can lead to bruising and excessive bleeding.
But there he is smiling through treatment after treatment, too many to count, including four chemotherapy sessions late last year.
Smiling through the frustration of sometimes being isolated from other kids while he fights an incurable disease.
Smiling through the fear that he might be deprived of his biggest love: soccer.
- By Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal. Photo courtesy of the Mansfield News Journal and the Putt Family.
