Nicky was born on January 4, 1988 in Fort Worth, Texas. His birthmother had already made plans to place him for adoption before that time. Soon after Nicky's birth he went into respiratory distress due to a serious blood infection he contracted at birth. He fought a courageous battle to survive for two and half months without the support of a family by his side. The infection left him with brain damage which caused his cerebral palsy.

Nicky was finally discharged from NICU and placed with his first foster family on March 17, 1988. He went through five foster families during the following months. Lutheran Social Services had nicknamed him "Little Hobo".

God brought Nicky and our family together. We were wanting to adopt a special needs child. I called the social worker about Nicky and she had just received our names and numbers and was going to call us. I knew God had His hand in the adoption placement. Nicky came home to his forever family on August 25, 1988. He only weighed ten pounds at placement. Then this skinny, scrawny baby finally started to gain weight and blossom.

Nicky began Early Childhood Intervention as a baby. He was always in a school program throughout his life. Nicky loved attending school. He enjoyed participating in the Special Olympics while his school, Jo Kelly, was a part of that program. He won gold, silver and bronze medals in bowling and the tennis ball toss. He was especially fond of bowling and scored very well.

Outside of school Nicky enjoyed Six Flags over Texas, The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and going to movies. He loved Rock 'n Roll music and dancing. He was a big fan of wrestling. Nicky enjoyed wrestling and playing with his brother, Thomas, in the swimming pool during the summers.

Despite Nicky's challenges he was a fun loving child. He had a great sense of humor and had his ways of teasing us. The joy and love he brought this family out weighed the care he required.

Nicky also enjoyed the holidays. Of course he loved the celebration and parties at Christmas. He won "Best Costume" twice attending Halloween parties. Nicky loved the fireworks of Fourth of July from the moment he first saw them. St. Patrick's Day was a fun one for him when he had an Irish teacher for two years at school. Peggy Charette had always wanted a red headed student. She made up for all those years of "wanting" with Nicky. He was a good sport and put up with her Irish music and making him look like a leprechaun.

When Nicky turned six years old we surprised him on his birthday with a ride in an airplane. He spent almost an hour in the air. Nicky laughed and giggled all the way home that day. Needless to say he also had a love for airplanes.

In May of 1999 doctors surgically implanted a Baclofen Pump into Nicky. It was to help reduce his spasticity and to help avoid orthopedic issues. At first it was a godsend. We feel the dose was increased to the point that it brought on seizures and orthopedic issues due to over weakened muscles.

In September of 2004 Nicky had the Girdlestone Procedure done to his left hip. Six inches of his left femur was removed due to severe dislocation. Seven weeks in a body cast was no joy but the surgery was a must due to the pain Nicky had been enduring. At that time we had also learned that Nicky's spine had collapsed into severe scoliosis. 

We had already fought to have the Baclofen reduced to try to help Nicky's body from getting worse. We spent the last two and a half years going constantly to the neurologist having it slowly weaned. On January 9, 2006 the pump was finally turned off. On January 26th Nicky required emergency surgery to remove the pump. Nicky experienced much pain from the catheter that was removed from his spine at that time.

On March 10th Nicky and I went into the hot tub. Shortly after we came into the house Nicky went into cardiac arrest. He went into a second one while in the emergency room. Nicky did go into the PICU once he was stable enough and on a ventilator. He was never conscious again. He had sustained too much brain damage and was experiencing organ failure. 

On Monday, March 13, 2006 we gave Nicky our permission for him to let go. The nurses slid him over in his bed. I lay next to him for over two hours hugging and kissing him. We were surround by family, best friends and ministers. I asked for prayers that Nicky would go home peacefully to his Heavenly Father. The doctors said to expect Nicky to struggle about six hours after they would remove life support. To their surprise he went quickly. Nicky died peacefully in his Daddy's arms. Thomas held his little brother and cried. I spent another two hours holding my son for the last time.  Jana stayed and we bathed Nicky, shampooed his hair and dressed him for his journey to the funeral home. My last opportunity to take care of my precious son. 

This picture appeared on a friend's cell phone while in her pocket at the very moment that Nicky died on March 13, 2006 at 2:28 P.M.

The above message was on a sign made by an employee for the employee area at Thompson's Harveson and Cole Funeral Home. Later we were told that Nicky had touched each of them while in their care.

March 13, 2006
Nicky went with the angels to his heavenly home,
where he can sing and dance for Jesus.

The above message was on a sign made by an employee for the employee area at Thompson's Harveson and Cole Funeral Home. Later we were told that Nicky had touched each of them while in their care.

The visitation was on March 16th at Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Funeral Home in Fort Worth, Texas. The things he loved filled the room, including his 7 foot fiber optical Christmas tree all decked out for St. Patrick’s Day. Nicky loved balloons and he got them for every occasion, this was no exception thanks to his Aunt Veva and cousin Gretchen, they got him two large columns of brightly colored balloons. Against one wall was a T.V. that was playing a magnificent slide show of Nicky, from infancy and up that his Uncle Melvin had made. When you walked into the room, you knew Nicky loved life, from the balloons, the Christmas tree, the slide show, his bowling ball, art projects, music, toys, everything that filled the room was Nicky.

The "Celebration of Life and Hope" for Nicky was on March 17th (St. Patrick's Day) at South Hills Christian Church, with the Rev. Dottie Cook officiating and it was a true celebration of Nicky’s life. One of Nicky’s favorite songs was played, “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me. .

Nicholas Edward White

January 4, 1988 ~ March 13, 2006

When I am gone, release me- let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave to you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love
You each have shown
But now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part.
So bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away for life goes on,
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me,
I'll be near
And if you listen
with your heart you'll hear
All of my love around you
speaking soft and clear.

And then, when you
Must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile
And say to you "Welcome Home."

The Dali Lama said the greatest injustice that is done when a child dies is that they are mourned so deeply and their purpose in life is forgotten.