Wow, I must have missed this the first time around. And while I haven't had exactly the same experiences (all the surgeries) My son(now 9) with Down Syndrome (and hearing aids for both ears since 18mo, and Asthma, and braces for both ankles, and thyroid dysfunction, and dairy allergies) had his own set of issues and I really relate to that post. He wasn't walking on his own till age 5, still potty training, daily meds for the thyroid/asthma, trying to get him to keep the hearing aids in, etc. On top of that my wife has had five back surgeries and really shouldn't lift him. I still wouldn't trade the experience, I think I am a better person for it.