Hello, my name is Sara Beth McKean. I was born on October 11th, 2006 at the Women's Hospital at the Health Science Center. I live in Brandon with my parents, Rod and Beth Anne, and my two brothers, Cody and Dylan.

I had to stay in Winnipeg for my first month after birth. I was diagnosed with Rubenstein Tabi Syndrome. In my first month, I have undergone numberous amounts of tests and seen a wide variety of specialists. My condition can and has caused some health conditions.

When I was 4 months old, I underwent surgery to have a g-tube installed into my belly so I could eat. Before that, my mom and dad used to make me sawallow a tube that went down into my stomach. I could not drink from a bottle because I was not strong enough to swallow the milk. I would aspirate. I have had pneumonia twice from re-fluxing my milk and having it go into my lungs. Even though my parents fed me through the g-tube, I still had problems with re-flux. When I would start to play or choke on my own saliva I would throw my feeding up. When I did this, my parents would have to refeed me just to keep me from being dehydrated. This continued from 4 months old until I was 15 months old when I had to undergo surgery once again. This surgery helped and has stopped me from being able to throw up. Only now maybe mom and dad can put someweight on me. I now weight 18 pounds. I have constant trips to the Children's Hospital where I see the specialists that take good care of me and check on my progress.

My immune system is not great and there may be problems in the future that I am not certain about. My parents contact other parents from the Rubenstein website to talk about what I may have to go through in the future.

I am now 16 months old. I like to be cuddled by my family and friends. I don't like to crawl but do like to sit and play with toys and especially my stainless bowl. When I am feeling good, I like to smile and sometimes give a little giggle. My parents are proud of me and now matter what my future holds they are always there. When you see me I will smile, and if I do not smile, I will stare at the beautiful people who helped me.

Thank you for your support. Forever grateful and with lots of love,

Sara Betth McKean & Family