Stephanie Lyons-Keeley and her spouse, Wayne, came across a kitten who was suffering from spina bifida and needed a permanent home almost a month after their eldest son Wyatt’s demise due to complications stemming from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Stephanie shared that the individual was adopted along with their biological brother, who was considered “normal.” However, the adoption did not last long as the adopter was not able to provide adequate care for the individual.

Spina bifida is a spinal abnormality that can cause various symptoms in cats, such as an unstable walk, hind leg weakness, and the inability to control their urine. This condition can also prevent them from climbing stairs or high places, which leads to difficulties in finding a home. Stephanie, a cat owner who lost her son to a severe disability and has a visually impaired son, decided to adopt a kitten with spina bifida to provide the love, care, and compassion it deserves.

Stephanie and her spouse embarked on a trip to Maryland from their residence in Danbury, Connecticut on January 30, 2021, to meet a small kitten who was only three months old. Upon seeing the kitten for the first time, they were immediately smitten with him despite his small size of roughly 1.5 lbs. Stephanie recalls the experience fondly.

Stephanie, Wayne, and their kids have paid tribute to Star Wars by giving their latest family member the name Luke, in memory of Wyatt who was an avid fan of the series. Stephanie explains how the name is ideal as it translates to “bright, white, bringer of light”, which perfectly suits the joy that this new addition has brought them after a difficult period. The family is thrilled with their choice of name.

Upon arriving at his new home, Luke quickly adapted to his new environment. Stephanie, who had never cared for a cat with incontinence before, soon found a way to diaper him. It became apparent to her that he also needed to be bathed frequently to keep him clean. Surprisingly, Luke seemed to enjoy being bathed. A year later, Luke is thriving, and Stephanie is amazed at how quickly she has become accustomed to changing his diapers and bathing him regularly. It has become a routine that they both seem to enjoy.