Celebrating Bud: A Specially-Abled Blessing

On January 20, 1993, my son, William “Bud” H. Muse, was born with a rare chromosome abnormality: Partial Trisomy 13 and 17 (long arm 13 and short arm 17). His condition is so rare that he is the only known case in the world. Sometimes, I like to think of it as “Bud’s Syndrome,” a unique reflection of his extraordinary journey.

Bud inherited this rare combination from me, as I have a balanced translocation of chromosomes 13 and 17, which he received as extras. He was also born with congenital heart defects, including an atrial septal defect (ASD), a ventricular septal defect (VSD), and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Over the years, he has faced countless medical challenges, and there have been moments when we came close to losing him more times than I can count.

Despite all this, Bud has been an angel and a blessing to everyone he meets. His life is a testament to resilience and the power of love. Every single day, he touches people’s hearts and leaves a lasting impression on everyone God places in his path. I am so incredibly blessed to be the mother the Lord chose to entrust with his care.

I call Bud my “Specially-Abled” son because his abilities go beyond what the world often sees or understands. He has a unique way of bringing joy, inspiration, and hope to those around him. His life is a reminder that even in the face of rare and difficult challenges, there is beauty, strength, and purpose.

I thank the Lord every day for giving me the strength to care for Bud and for blessing us with his extraordinary presence. Bud is a special angel, not just to me but to everyone who has the privilege of knowing him. The blessings he brings extend far beyond our family and continue to ripple through the lives of those he touches.

If you’d like to know more about Bud and his incredible journey, you can follow along at www.facebook.com/LovingBudMuse.

Thank you, Lord, for trusting me with such a precious gift and for allowing Bud’s light to shine so brightly in this world.

Written by Bud’s mom