Color him a survivor: Boy fills in parents' lives

The second-place winner's mom calls his life a miracle.
By MATT BIXENSTINE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- The portrait of Danny Griffin's life is best painted with a brush of triumph.
In his case, though, the portrait is actually drawn with crayons.
Danny was born three months premature, weighing 2 pounds, 2 ounces. His parents, Daniel and Dolores Griffin of Vienna, were told not to expect their infant to live.
Friday, Danny, 5, attended the Canfield Fair as the second-place winner in his age bracket of The Vindicator's coloring contest. After seeing his drawing on display, he spent the day riding rides and enjoying the fair.
For Danny, who won a $100 U.S. savings bond for his efforts, the contest marks a monumental accomplishment when just a few years ago mere survival was a feat.
Only child
Daniel and Dolores had been married 17 years before finally being blessed with their only child.
On Dec. 10, 1997, Dolores gave birth to her only son prematurely, she said, as a result of medicine she had been prescribed. Her water had leaked, and Danny entered the world in desperate need of water with his umbilical cord wrapped around him.
"When he was born, he was transparent," Griffin said. "His entire hand fit on my husband's thumb. For being that little he fought for his life -- it was a miracle that he lived."
Monsignor Lawrence Fye, a family friend, was present shortly after Danny's birth and baptized the infant as Danny struggled with survival.
"It was really questionable how he was going to make it," said Monsignor Fye, rector of Saint Columba Cathedral in Youngstown.
Danny spent three months in the intensive care unit, but he dealt with the effects of his premature birth for much longer.
Troubling news
In the years that followed, Daniel and Dolores were told many times their child would never walk, could be blind or deaf and could deal with a host of other health problems that result from premature birth.
But two doctors, Dr. James D'Apolito and Dr. Norma Hazelbaker, remained positive and supportive as Danny was taken to numerous rehabilitation centers and hospitals, including the Cleveland Clinic, Dolores said.
"They have been a godsend," she said. "I wouldn't have known what to do without them."
Today, Danny's health problems have largely disappeared through rehabilitation or self-correction. Having witnessed her son wearing braces on his legs at one point, Dolores said she now watches her son ride a bicycle with ease.
"He's turned into a really darling young man -- I'm just amazed," Monsignor Fye said. "I think they [the Griffin family] have been blessed. I wish the best for them."
Not only has Danny overcome his health obstacles, but he has also excelled in many ways. Griffin said her son, whom she describes as "very intelligent," reads at a third- or fourth-grade level and has demonstrated an interest in art.
"Ever since he visited Butler Art Museum [on a school field trip in May], he has wanted to color everything," Griffin said. "I bought him the biggest box of crayons."
Love and support
Griffin also credits a number of other people with helping Danny to overcome his early-life struggles: Florence Griffin, Danny's only living grandparent; Renee Jamrozik, who has acted as a grandmotherly figure for him; Danny's aunt Myra and uncle Bill Saylor; and Mary Ellen Monroe, administrator at Saint Rose Sunny Days Preschool, a school Danny attended.
This past week, Danny began kindergarten at Saint Rose Elementary School in Girard. With few exceptions he is virtually free from all health problems.
"I do believe in miracles," Griffin said. "I really do. He's our miracle."
mbixenstine@vindy.com