Throughout the years, Welch has tried to keep Darian’s life as normal as possible. She has taken him roller skating in his wheelchair; she has taken him on a go-cart ride; and thanks to The Dream Factory, a wish-granting organization, Darian was able to visit Walt Disney World.
But the trip to Disney World marked the last time Darian smiled. In 2011, he took a turn for the worse. He stopped blinking his eyes and he was unable to show any type of emotion. Today his condition is grave. Darian is being kept alive by machines and has been in hospice care for several weeks.
Welch said Darian has appeared to her in dreams that were so realistic that she awoke in tears.
When he spoke to Welch in the dream Darian said, “‘I’m just tired. I’m tired of this momma. I’m tired of being like this. I know it’s school time and I can’t even go to school. Why me?’” Welch said as she described her son’s voice in the dream.
The dream continued with Welch crying while trying to change Darian’s diaper as he continued talking to her and said, “Don’t cry. It’s not your fault. You’ve taken good care of me. If it wasn’t for you I probably wouldn’t even be here now.’”
Welch said her journey hasn’t been easy, but she knew she had to fight for her child.
“Sometimes I would cry, and he would cry because I was crying. It was hard to watch because he’s going backward,” Welch said. “As a parent, you have to be strong, period; whether you have a terminally ill child or a normal child. I’ve always been his voice.”