Corben Kemp

Corben Robert Kemp was born on 27th December 2005. He was the firstborn child to Chris and Janine. Janine had her worries about Corben due to endless chest infections, and colds, and was back and forth to the doctors many times. At 5 months old people finally started listening to her worries. 

 

After being referred to a Specialist Corben was xrayed and found to have a an S shaped spine, as well as shaped ribs. This was all part of his condition, which was later diagnosed as Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1.

 

Janine and Chris did everything they could possibly do with Corben, they crammed as much into the days as they could as it was unknown just how much time they had left. At 6 months old Corben and his family celebrated his 6 month birthday with a cake and paddling pool, and had fireworks to mark the special day.

 

On 15th July Corben was having trouble swallowing and had to start being fed via a feeding tube, due to the risks of aspirating into his lungs. Although Corben could not eat food he enjoyed being given different tastes. He enjoyed most things and that was obvious by his big cheeky grin. He was nicknamed "Cheeky Little Monkey."

 

On 6th September Corben got yet another chest infection, and his parents were told to prepare for the worst as he had only a matter of days left. Despite this Corben kept on fighting and held on for another 6 weeks. At 2 minutes to 6pm, On 21st October 2006, Corben lost his fight to SMA and passed away surrounded by family.