Every human life is precious. Every person is a reflection of the image of God. Therefore every life has value – every person matters.
Kristin and I have been inspired and encouraged for many years by some college friends – Matt and Shannon McNeil. 
Their blog is filled with meaningful updates and insights into their journey over the last decade with two beautiful children who were born with Sanfilippo Syndrome. This degenerative genetic disorder is a prominent thread in their family tapestry. What you’ll see is that it did not detract from God’s image but is one of many things God used to showcase His beauty, affection and joy through two precious reflections.
Learn about Waverly here – 
“I remember Waverly, the joyful, who danced and twirled and ran, who at three years old wore a Dora the Explorer backpack constantly and a Snow White dress for special occasions… She loved birthday parties, no matter whose, and eating black beans and quesadillas at Chipotle, which she mistakenly called Chicago.
“I remember Waverly, the music lover. Her love of music was so intense it led me to do embarrassing things like sing “I’m A Little Black Rain Cloud” in crowded public spaces… I remember a wild child, who would steal food off of other people’s plates…”
And read about Oliver here –
“Oliver was joy. For as long as he could, Oliver started his day running full speed from our bedrooms to the front of the house, letting out happy shrieks along the way, excited by the promise of a new day… He loved simple pleasures- holding a helium balloon as it bounced against the ceiling, petting an animal at the zoo, or throwing a ball whether you were ready for it or not.
“Oliver was a comfort. He loved giving and getting hugs, but he also liked when people around him hugged each other. When we was three, Oliver would come up to two people standing close to each other, put his hands on the back of their legs, and push them together. He did this to me whether I was standing next to Shannon or a perfect stranger.
“Oliver was a brother. When Waverly first met Oliver in his hospital bassinet, she took one look and said, “Monkey!” In other words, they bonded instantly. When Oliver started constantly putting things in his mouth, we gave him a red chewy tube as a safe alternative as that had worked for Waverly. He studied it for a second, then walked across the room to put it in Wavey’s mouth instead of his. He knew the red chewies were for his sister. Because of his generosity, we needed a distinct alternative that he knew was his. Thus, his signature blue chewy tube came to be.
“He was only a few days old when the nurses in the NICU were referring to him as an old soul. And in bearing his suffering so nobly, with persistent joy and without complaint, he stirred the souls of others.
“It was natural for someone who loved Oliver to pray for a miracle; none of us wanted to let him go. But over time it became apparent to us that HE was the miracle and the healing we needed was for our own hearts.
“While I still have a hard time understanding why all this happened, I know people responded to Oliver by better loving those around them and that the world became a kinder place because Oliver was in it. Hopefully you have a better sense of who he was and what we lost.
“Oliver, you made us so proud to be your mom and dad. You were the greatest of gifts. We love you, we miss you so very much, and we can’t wait to see you again.”