Timothy Timmy Stringer

Timothy Terry Stringer, "Timmy", passed away November 12, 2020 at 10:06 p.m. MTN time at the Children's Hospital of Colorado due to respiratory failure, secondary to his chronic disorder. At the time of passing he was 18 years old. He is survived by his father Terry, his brother Casey, his grandma Lyuda, and his mother Natasha who lovingly held his hand at the passing. Timmy was born on July 15, 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia, moved from Georgia to South Carolina as a toddler and then to Evergreen, Colorado as a teen where he lived last years and received most comprehensive medical and therapeutic care. Part of his blessing was that he attracted and inspired the most talented and gifted medical, social and educational professionals throughout the country. Due to these professionals and MPS research, he was exceptionally well supported and outperformed both life expectancy and longevity of functional abilities of someone with his rare genetic disorder (Hurler/MPS I) which impairs multiple systems. A strong life-force defied his degenerative disorder giving him the abilities to walk, use his hands and engage in life almost to the end. He had a great personality, was his own person, seemingly unaware of any limitations. He always made an impact on his world and on others, effortlessly. Timmy's life was short but it was a very meaningful, active, joyous live. Best ways to describe Timmy are a ray of sunshine and a rainbow of joy. He was gifted with the most loving, easy-going personality and did not require much to keep him happy. Timmy delighted in simple things from basic preschool notions to favorite cartoons. He did not need words: he expressed himself perfectly with his genuine sweet smile, infectious laugh and loving eyes of an old soul. Timmy lived his life with an innocent, carefree mind and a happy disposition of a very young child. He carried himself with the light of Christ and disposition of Buddha and endured many medical interventions with courage and patience of a saint. He was a true joy to be around and inspired and challenged all of us to go an extra mile, to be better, stronger, kinder people. We wish that everyone experiences love and joy in your lives as we have with Timothy. May he rest in peace in God's arms, who got back an Angel that we had a privilege to hold onto for 18 years and experience as our child, a true blessing to all of us and to this world. DONATIONS: In place of flowers or gifts to the family please CONSIDER DONATING to one of the organizations listed under ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. We already have received the greatest gift by having had Timmy in our life and we hope he inspired you to keep giving: to your loved ones and to the organizations and people who enhance lives of individuals with disabilities. If you live in CO please consider supporting local organizations like INSPIRE, The ARC and DDRC. But whether you choose to support them or National MPS Society, Children's Hospital CO, other hospitals, wonderful SCHOOLS and THERAPY CENTERS who supported Timothy or your own special relative or child, the main thing is that we are all supporting each other in the time of need. Timmy would have wanted this to go on. END OF LIFE ARRANGEMENTS: Due to our extreme grief and COVID restrictions we decided not hold a funeral reception. We are filling the PHOTOS gallery with the impressions of Timothy's last year of life, of his last hospital stay and of his cremation attire. We really wanted everyone to be comforted by knowing that Timothy was very happy almost to the end. Over time we might replace some photos and add ones from earlier years, as we sort family archives. Whenever you think of Timmy, this site is a gathering place for memories and people, a place to visit with him and to stay connected with all TIMMY'S PEOPLE. Timothy has brought us together and there is no reason this should change - so GRATEFUL he brought every one of you into our life. Feel free to share in the MEMORIES section how you experienced Timothy. The site automatically duplicates photos from the photo gallery into Memories. You do not have to have a picture to accompany your post, unless you have some you want to share. Share and hold the memories of him at his happiest: sweet, content, eternally sharing his love... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: To preserve privacy of individuals we would like to thank your organizations. If you are reading this, even if you are not part of the listed organizations, you probably cared about or for Timmy in some way. You know who you are and deserve our sincere gratitude for your contribution to Timmy's remarkable life. We are grateful to the staff of these organizations for the outstanding medical care Timothy: Greenville Shriners and Hospital System SC, UNC and Duke medical centers of NC, MUSC Hospital Charleston SC, Children's Hospital of Colorado, University of Colorado Hospital, Greenwood Genetic Center of SC, UNC Division of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism NC, Children's Hospital of CO Department of Genetics and Metabolism. We are grateful to the caring pharmacists of Walmart and Walgreens of Evergreen CO, CVS Specialty Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of CO Walgreens and Specialty Pharmacies. Timothy's life was greatly extended by 13 years of weekly ERT (infusion therapy) provided by Palmetto Infusions of Greenville SC, Children's Hospital CCBD infusion center, CORAM Nursing with the most caring nurses and staff. ERT therapy is one of the life-extending therapies for MPS made possible due to hard work of National MPS Society and UNC and Duke University MPS research programs. His quality of life and function were also greatly enhanced and supported by his occupational and physical therapists, orthotic and mobility providers: Pediatric Therapy Works (Anderson SC), Children's Therapy Center (Seneca SC), Shriners Hospital Therapies and Prosthetics and Orthotics (Greenville SC), South Therapy Care of Children's Hospital (Highlands Ranch CO), Prosthetics and Orthotics Group of Children's Hospital (Denver CO) and by Colorado special needs equipment providers: Numotion, Kids Mobility Network and United Access. We are also grateful to several school districts: Early Intervention of Oconee county school district SC, where he received preschool education, later continuing to the Washington Center School of Greenville SC, and to the Fletcher Miller School of Lakewood CO. Timmy's last educational home was an exceptional SPED program at the Conifer High School, Conifer CO, where he started 12th grade the year of his sad departure. Timmy's kind talented teachers, his one-on-one aid, school therapists, school and district staff and nurses, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and bus aids ALL made his life safe and enjoyable, full of normal activities and educational adventures. We are also grateful to the INSPIRE special needs summer and day program of Evergreen CO and advocacy organizations like Oconee county and Greenville county DSN boards of SC The Tribble Center (Seneca SC), Sanofi Genzyme MA, Jeffco Colorado organizations like DDRC, The ARC and PASCO who supported Timmy's best quality of life with their hard-working staff, resources, advocacy and coordination services. THANK YOU: YOU ALL HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE in a life of a beautiful child. For his family loving Timmy was the easiest part but it took a village to give him his best life. THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE TIMMY'S VILLAGE, for being TIMMY'S PEOPLE. REFLECT on this: You not only enhanced Timmy's life experience, but with him gained many meaningful experiences and connections for yourself and this can and should continue - stay connected with TIMMY and TIMMY'S VILLAGE through GatheringUs.com