‘It’s really
incredible
how far
Damien
has come’
—FINN
LANNING
he’s playing team sports and swimming. And
things are great at home: Lanning is in the pro-
cess of adopting Damien. “I never thought I would
end up being a father,” he says. “I feel very lucky.”
After homework and chores, the two like cook-
ing together (crab and shrimp boil is a favorite),
and on the weekends they go to the movies or the
arcade. They spent this past Christmas with Lan-
ning ’s family in Wichita, Kans., where Damien
sang karaoke for the first time. “You kind of lose
hope after a while when you’re living in the hos-
pital,” admits Damien. “But now I can settle in,
go to school, make friends and live a good life.”
Adds Lanning: “It’s supercool to reflect on how
different things are and to see him be able to just
enjoy things that regular kids get to enjoy. I never
expected this to be my life, but I’m so happy it is.
We’re in it together.” •
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