Tiny Fighter to Skate Park Mayor, Meet Dax!
Dax and his twin sister Penelope made their world debut on August 8th 2017, just eight minutes apart. The journey to their arrival was unexpected and filled with surprises for parents Mike and Sarah. When their first child, Paisley was only 5 months old, the family learned they were expecting; assured by their doctor that it was a single birth. It was not until a routine appointment 3 months later that they realized the pregnancy was actually one of TWINS. The pregnancy presented challenges—Dax experienced intrauterine growth delay at 24 weeks, with his femurs not measuring as expected. Doctors closely monitored the situation, and Dax was delivered two weeks early, weighing just 4 pounds 4 ounces, while Penelope arrived at 6 pounds 8 ounces. Despite these challenges, neither twin required time in the NICU.
While all of us resist the urge to compare sometimes, as a twin, Mom & Dad couldn't help but notice that Dax was facing more challenges than his sister Penelope. He struggled with feeding, had trouble latching, and needed to be bottle-fed at a specific angle. By three months, his parents noticed he was stiffer compared to Penelope, unable to sit up or roll like she did. Mike and Sarah reached out for an evaluation and at 6 months, Dax was diagnosed with hypotonia. Speech delays followed, leading to an autism diagnosis. Despite these hurdles, Dax has shown incredible resilience. At just 7 months old, he attended an intensive clinic where he made significant strides in his development. Now at age 7, Dax is enrolled at Mattie Washburn's moderate to severe SDC class where he also receives speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy through the school system. Daxton has formed incredible bonds with his teachers and classmates because of his fun-loving-nature and more often than not you will see his favorite teacher, Teacher Jarrett, in the stands cheering him on.
Dax's progress has been remarkable. He used to climb stairs with only one leg, but now he races his mom upstairs. Dax has been showing off his gross motor skills at the skate park via scooter since he was four and is now dropping into the 9-foot bowl, earning the admiration of high schoolers in Windsor and Healdsburg! Known as the "mayor of the skate park," Dax loves to share scooters and stickers, making friends wherever he goes. His vocabulary has grown, and he's now engaging in conversations with phrases and short sentences, often initiating them himself. Dax has developed a deep sense of empathy. If someone is hurt, Dax is the first to ask, "Are you okay, buddy?"
Dax's friendly nature has made him a social connector for his family. As camping is a favorite pastime for the family, Dax is known to turn the entire campground into a social hub for his family. He is a sweet, inquisitive soul who loves animals, from his big dog Angus (whom he calls "Stem") to his champagne ball python Oksana. Dax has affectionately named all snails “Gary”, all snakes “Jerry” and all frogs “Jesus” an endearing habit that has challenged his mother to see the world through his eyes and be more courageous in the face of creepy crawlies.
Dax is currently obsessed with monster trucks, Mario Brothers, and Paw Patrol. He loves canned mandarin oranges, pizza, Goldfish, Cheez-Its, and donut holes (which he calls "donut balls"). As we’ve seen on the Miracle League field, his energy seems boundless and his swings powerful—Mom reports he's on the go from 5 AM (or earlier) to 7 PM. Some of Daxton's favorite outings take the family to the Sonoma County Children's museum where Dax will spend hours in the water exhibits, the Epicenter where his love for trampolines can be taken full advantage of for hours and family golf cart rides around the neighborhood.
Dax's worldview has allowed his family to view the world in a completely different light and he expanded their hearts in ways they never thought possible. As he continues to grow and develop, we look forward to seeing all the amazing things he will accomplish. Keep swinging for the fences Dax, Miracle League (and Team Blue especially) are so lucky to have you!
| 
