In 1995, Chris was born to Syd and Teresa Downs. He looked like a normal, healthy baby, until doctors made a shocking discovery: he was suffering from an extremely rare disease. He had a diaphragmatic hernia — a hole in his diaphragm that allowed his intestines to be pushed up into his chest. He was given a 25 percent chance of survival.
But Syd and Teresa believed that a miracle would happen, so they started passing around buttons to the hospital staff. The buttons read "I believe in miracles."
They were right to: the newborn managed to pull through, after surgery and 11 days being hooked up to a machine that acted as both his heart and lungs.
To this day 20 years later, the hospital staff members are still wearing those buttons!
Chris is now attending the University of Colorado, and is doing his part to give back: he's raising money for people with disabilities by biking 3,500 miles across the country. Chris and his fraternity are going on the Journey of Hope, knowing that not all are lucky enough to be alive and as healthy as they are!
Please SHARE to spread the word about Chris' mission, and if the miracle of his survival blew your mind!
