Sam Houston
The story of Sam's house begins with a baby being born in southern Utah with Caudal Regression Syndrome and Dextrocardia. The condition targets the bones causing the sacrum, the lowest part of the spine, to not form normally or at all. In addition, the heart is flipped onto the right side instead of the left. Many have issues with their arteries, the ventricles of the heart being inverted or other heart defects. It can also result in other organ disorders, such as the kidneys being malformed with one missing or them being fused together.
Despite his multiple health problems, Sam was determined to be as “normal” as possible. Even with the setbacks of having to travel back and forth between Cedar City and Salt Lake City to visit Primary Children's Hospital, he kept his infectious smile and endeared the masses to him.
His personality created many friendships. Friends would push him in his wheelchair when they saw him coming down the road on his own. He also was granted a license to go hunting and shoot from the truck. He felt fortunate to get his buck, which made everyone excited and proud.
With the help of his dad, he excelled in the scouting program. At age 14 he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
He passed away two weeks later.
The entire community was moved by the greatness of Sam's spirit. He was determined to make a difference in the world… and he did. With the help of his amazing parents and siblings, he overcame some of the greatest obstacles. He truly influenced his community in countless ways.
The concern is not that people may forget Sam, but that they forget the hundreds of others going through extreme physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Is there not some relief for those families?
