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Dracut family spreading son's 'kindness' legacy

DRACUT, Mass. — They've suffered an incredible loss and their future is uncertain, but one family has continued spreading their son's legacy of kindness and compassion.

Even before Joseph Middlemiss was born, Kate and Scott knew that his life was going to be difficult. Doctors told them he had a very slim chance of surviving and even if he did, he would have many abnormalities.

“All of the joyful feelings that usually fill the thoughts and lives of expectant parents were stolen from us on this day and replaced with sadness and fear,” said Kate.

Joey was born May 31, 2007 and whisked away immediately to be looked over by experts. In the months and years that followed, there were diagnoses and predictions, but doctors couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong with Joseph. They said he probably wouldn’t live until his first birthday, maybe two years total.

“We were forced to cherish each moment and live one day at a time,” wrote Kate.

Fortunately, the doctors were wrong, and even more than that, Joey’s story began spreading. Soon, co-workers, students and even strangers began giving the family support as Joey continued to defy the odds.

Eventually there were several diagnoses given to Joey, including cardiomyopathy, aerodigestive abnormalities, submucous cleft palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency, but his parents said that didn’t define their lovely little boy.

Joey started kindergarten and Scott and Kate got pregnant again.

“All the testing came back negative and it did not look like Joe’s cardiomyopathy or underlying syndrome (still unknown) was hereditary,” she said.

However, at 34 weeks, a fetal echo showed the new baby, Jack, also had cardiomyopathy. He was born Aug. 21, 2013 and stayed in the hospital for several days.

“Joe was our strength. He was thriving, entering first grade, and doing so well,” said Kate.

In the middle of September 2013, Joey didn’t feel well. All weekend he was lethargic. On Monday, he died.

“He looked like a pretty typical 6-year-old on Friday afternoon and earned his angel wings on Monday,” said Kate.

It’s been almost three years since Joey’s death. Inspired by their son’s big heart, Scott and Kate started a nonprofit, The Big Heart Foundation.

On Wednesday, at the Shaw Farm in Dracut is having a Celebrity Scoop Fest from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be "Kindness Awards", which recognizes people who have honored Joey's memory by "spreading his love, kindness and compassion." All proceeds from the scoop fest benefit The Big Heart Foundation.

Kate and Scott have had another child, and they know their time with Jack is limited, but they continue to channel their grief into a positive way.