The family traveled from the Four Corners region of New Mexico, near Shiprock, to seek specialized care. At just a few weeks old, Sonny underwent an interim surgery that connected his liver directly to his small intestine. It wasn’t a cure, but it gave him something precious—time. Time to grow, time to get stronger, and time to prepare for the liver transplant he would eventually need.
For the past year, Matthew and Crystal have lived in and out of hospitals, doing everything possible to keep their little boy thriving. One remarkable fact gave them hope: during the first two years of life, a baby’s body can adapt to any healthy liver. Instead of waiting on the national transplant list, Sonny’s medical team encouraged the family to search for a living donor.
They created a form and shared it with friends and family. Many people stepped forward. In the end, their brother‑in‑law was selected as the perfect match. Surgeons removed a small, anatomically correct portion of his liver, just the right size for a 13‑month‑old, and transplanted it into Sonny. The donor’s liver will grow back, and Sonny now has a brand‑new start.
The family met the anesthesiologists on Sonny’s surgical team, a woman who had survived the same condition as a child and even received her own transplant at the very same hospital. “It was so reassuring to see this healthy young woman thriving in her 20s,” Crystal shared.
After surgery, doctors discovered just how much Sonny had been enduring. His original liver was as hard as a rock. Yet through it all, he remained a bright, joyful presence.
“He’s such a flirt,” Crystal laughed. “He takes his walker and makes rounds at the hospital to check on all the nurses. He’s always smiling and laughing.”
During the transplant and recovery, RMHC‑Denver became a lifeline. Crystal never left Sonny’s side, but Matthew was able to come to the House to shower, rest, and eat. When Sonny was finally discharged, the whole family stayed at the Denver House together.
“It was the first time I was able to rest,” Crystal said. “It’s such an amazing program.”
For now, Sonny needs to stay close to the hospital for three weekly check‑ins while his tiny internal connections heal. He’s on several medications, but eventually he’ll transition to just one—an anti‑rejection medicine he’ll take for life. If all continues to go well, the family hopes to return home to New Mexico in a few weeks, surrounded by the loved ones who have been cheering them on.
In the meantime, Sonny has become a beloved presence at RMHC‑Denver. He makes his rounds here too, sharing his smile, his laughter, and his unstoppable spirit with staff, volunteers and other families.
A little boy with a new liver and a whole lot of joy to give.
