At less than 2 weeks old, Malakai was found on a walking bridge just outside of Pingdingshan, China. In an act of love, Malakai’s his birth parents had left him there to try to save his life. The baby boy was struggling to live due to severe medical complications. He was rushed to a hospital in Shanghai, China. There, Malakai was diagnosed with many very serious and complex issues. He was battling pneumonia and had a widespread infection that was causing organ failure. While Malakai was in the hospital, doctors determined that he would need specialized care for his complex conditions. He was stabilized and transferred to a care center for medically complex orphans.
Almost three years later, Malakai was adopted and brought to his new home in Littleton, Colo., where he was greeted eagerly by his older siblings. He also started receiving care at Children’s Hospital Colorado. There, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, called Opitz G/BBB syndrome, which causes abnormalities along the entire midline of the body.
Nearly all the organs and systems down the center of Malakai’s body were affected, from the top of his skull to his toes. Since his diagnosis, Malakai has endured constructive or corrective surgery on every system in his body to improve their function and provide a better long-term outlook for his health and life. He has also undergone numerous therapies, received care from Children’s Colorado clinics specializing in complex conditions, participated in genetic testing and has been involved in research studies. Malakai has beat the odds since birth and continues to do so. He will need to undergo more surgeries, but his family feels that he’s in the exact place he needs to be to grow and develop. Malakai is now in fourth grade and loves to play with his five siblings. His other favorite things include basketball, math and sushi.
