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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox The Cubby CEO Cindy Johnson, far right, presents 22-month-old Tristan Kinney and his family, from left, twin sister Victoria, “Nana” Sharon Peters, father Matthew Kinney and mother Allyson Adams with a check for $100 for being selected as The Cubby’s May Hero of the Month. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — At almost 2 years old, Victoria Kinney was on the move. As is typical for that age, everything in The Cubby thrift store in Caribou was of interest to her and needed to be touched. Plus, she had already had a long day, so she was just a little bit grumpy.
Her twin brother, Tristan, sat quietly in his mother’s lap, watching and smiling as Hurricane Victoria tore through the store in her bright pink sandals.
“He never takes his eyes off her,” Tristan’s mother, Allyson Adams, said, gently kissing the top of her baby boy’s head.
Tristan, who is considerably smaller than Victoria, was born with pulmonary heart disease. After surgery to correct the condition, he did not receive enough oxygen and lost 66 percent of his brain function, leaving him with developmental deficiencies.
Because of this, the should-be toddler has numerous weekly medical appointments at Cary Medical Center and monthly appointments with a cardiologist in Bangor and a neurologist in Scarborough. He is on several medications and will never walk, destined to eventually be in a wheelchair.
Luckily for Adams and Tristan’s father, Matthew Kinney, “Nana,” Sharon Peters, is on hand often to help out with the twins.
“I try to make sure they have everything they need,” Peters commented.
Peters takes care of Victoria whenever she can and provides transportation to medical appointments, something that has become crucial as the couple’s car has broken down beyond repair.
“It would cost more than the car is worth to fix,” Adams admitted. “We need to get a new one.”
Cindy Johnson, CEO of The Cubby, chose Tristan as the May Cubby Hero of the Month, providing his parents with a $100 check to do with as they wish.
“What really strikes me about this family,” Johnson said, “is how positively involved Sharon is. She assists this young family on every level — care, transportation and financially. Tristan’s parents are very fortunate to have such a wonderful, caring, supportive family.”
This is not the first time Johnson has stepped up to the plate to help Tristan and his family. The Cubby Fund provided an adaptive car seat for him in the past.
The family also credits the Woodland Baptist Church congregation with lending a hand when needed.
“They have been good to us,” Matthew said.
Despite his health issues, Tristan rarely appears unhappy and loves to cuddle and be played with.
“He’s always happy, always smiling, even when he’s sick,” Adams said.
Tristan is able to roll from his belly to his back, and even though he can’t move at the break-neck speed of his twin sister, he can pull himself up onto his knees and stand with help.
“He’s a miracle,” Adams said. “Four times they have told us he wouldn’t make it, and he’s still here.”
Tristan’s prognosis may be uncertain, but he and his family definitely aren’t. The joyful young man has a long road ahead of him and some large pink-sandal footsteps to follow in, but with the help of loving Nana and a generous community, the outcome seems positive.
