Our names are James and LaTosha Dunson. Our youngest son, Josiah Dunson, went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ, in the early morning hours on Wednesday, July 26, 2024. Josiah is the strongest human we have ever met, and are so blessed that Jesus trusted us to nurture His little angel until He was ready to call His angel home. Josiah suffered a very traumatic brain injury at birth, being deprived of vital oxygen for a tremendous amount of time, but he fought to live! Oh how he fought! After Josiah was delivered, James was faced with the possibility of losing his wife and son, but miraculously, we both survived! However, the outlook for Josiah was bleak. The doctors didn’t believe he would survive the day, but God gave us 9 1/2 incredible years with our baby! Thank you God for having the final say! Josiah was a fighter, fighting for the most basic requirement for survival, his breath. For 9 1/2 years, Josiah fought for EVERY BREATH! Not one breath his entire life ever came easy. Imagine how many times we inhale and exhale every day and night. Each of his breaths were labored and noisy, his little chest rising and collapsing in such an extreme manner, his rib-cage could be seen if observing his bare-chest, which countless doctors, nurses, caregivers, therapists, his teachers and family members witnessed. Josiah’s extreme respiratory troubles and numerous medical challenges were a result of his devastating brain injury. Unable to swallow, he had to be fed via a milk pump, medications given through a port in his stomach. Nonverbal, Josiah would coo to communicate with us. Unable to stand or walk, Josiah relied on others to safely move him from place to place. Unable to sit unassisted, Josiah relied on special equipment to help support his body. Unable to swallow his own saliva, Josiah had to be suctioned with an electric suction machine, and deep suctioned, a very uncomfortable, invasive procedure to watch nurses and Respiratory Therapists perform, much less being Josiah and having to endure it countless times. From seizures and possible blindness due to his catastrophic brain injury, crying out in pain and not being able to tell where it hurts, to itching that his little fingers were unable to scratch, and being deprived the pleasures tasting and eating provide. One painful challenge after another, but by the precious blood of Jesus, Josiah continued to survive. His strength truly came from Jesus! He didn’t experience the joys of childhood, running, laughing and playing with his toys, friends, or his four older brothers; Josiah could only sit and watch (it is thought that his vision would come-and-go since he didn’t always “track” movement with his eyes, and unable to express if he could see or not). He witnessed his dogs running and playing, but he was never able to join in, (animals could do what our baby could not!) He bravely faced frequent hospitalizations, medical procedures and surgeries over the years, too many medical challenges to name, but enduring each obstacle like a CHAMPION! He is our CHAMPION and the strongest person we’ve ever known, enduring obstacles, challenges, and heartache that break many adults! Josiah’s four older brothers are covered with life insurance but due to Josiah’s diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy resulting from his devastating brain injury at birth, and his countless medical issues and challenges, James and I were unable to find a life insurance company that would provide a policy for him. We were first told he had to survive to be 5 years old. By the grace of God, Josiah did survive to be 5 years, only for us to be told that he still couldn’t be covered because of his medical complexities, the possibility he wouldn’t live very long, and his Epilepsy diagnosis resulting in seizures. We are asking for any financial support you may be willing and able to provide to assist us in laying our angel to rest. Josiah is the strongest person we know, fighting for every breathe, silently enduring every heartache, (quietly sitting in his wheelchair unable to play with the toys we placed his hands on, listening and watching his family interact, his brothers laugh and play, all while possibly wondering why he couldn’t do the same), but through it all, not wanting pity but prayers, he persevered and kept rising. What resilience we witnessed! Thank you Jesus for trusting us with your precious angel! Oh, how we love him and miss him so, but we take comfort in your word “…to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 5:8, and your word that says “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Rest in the loving arms of Jesus, Josiah. Rest and rejoice! You made it baby! No more lack holding you back! Free to do all your earthly body prevented you from doing! We will forever love and miss you!
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