Toddler’s battle with rare disease touched many in parish
A small child that brought people all over the world together in prayer has passed away.
Randal Michael “Tripp” Roth III died on Saturday, Jan. 14 in his mother’s arms after an almost three-year-long battle against a genetic disorder called Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB. He was two years and eight months old.
“My precious angel received his wings today,” His mother, Courtney, wrote on her blog. “I know he’s flying high, pain free and talking Jesus’ ear off.”
The story of Tripp’s struggle spread all over the world – Courtney received Christmas ornaments, emails and letters from numerous states and countries. In St. Charles, groups came together to fundraise for a cure and pray for a miracle.
His story even received national recognition from ABC News and from the actor who plays Elmo on Sesame Street.
For many, Tripp was a reminder about how precious all children are.
“He brought so many people together and made them hug their kids a little tighter,” said Gearldlynn Weathers Lucia of Norco. “He made me realize how trivial my problems are and that my problems were nothing compared to what he was facing.”
“Tripp and Courtney gracefully took on the most unfair trial and made many people realize how fortunate we are to be healthy in this life,” said Toni Clement of Destrehan. “I have two heroes in these beautiful people – they are responsible for putting my life in perspective.”
Norco native Kami Lucia had the opportunity to meet Tripp and Courtney when she used her senior project to raise awareness of EB and help the Roths. She also helped to organize a prayer rally for him on the East Bank.
“He definitely taught me to live life each day and not to take anything for granted,” Lucia said. “It really changed my life just to meet him – it gave me a whole different perspective on life.”
Courtney began blogging in September 2009 about her experiences raising Tripp in an effort to raise awareness about EB. At that point, Tripp was just four months old and could still go outside, smile, play with his toys and see.
His story was the first time that many people reading Courtney’s blog had ever heard of EB.
“Tripp will always be remembered by me as the sweetest little baby boy with the meanest disease I had ever learned about, but what will change the way I handle my struggles is the way he and his mommy loved each other,” said Mary Marino of Norco. “Never before have I witnessed (through Courtney’s blog, of course) a child with unimaginable pain, but still smiling and laughing with his family and his music.
“Joy through the pain…something we can all learn and live by.”
For most of his life, Tripp had been confined to his home due to his condition, which caused blisters and sores to form on his skin anywhere that friction occurred. That meant that he could not play, crawl or even have his diaper changed without irritating his skin. He was unable to eat and eventually lost his vision as well. Doctors estimated that Tripp would not live to see his first birthday, but the little boy was a fighter and defied all expectations.
But each day brought more struggles for Tripp – as the disease progressed, his symptoms only got worse.
Visitation for Tripp was on Jan. 18 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Ponchatoula. Interment followed in the Ponchatoula Cemetery. Donations may be made in Tripp’s name to www.debra.org or www.puckfund.org.
Read about Tripp’s life and battle with EB at www.randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com.
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