Much has been said about a decline in the popularity of Southern Gospel Music among our younger generation lately. The purpose of this article is not to debate either side of that sentiment. I want to introduce you to a soon-to-be 14 year old young man who has loved this music his entire life.
Noah Sartin was born with a rare incurable genetic anomaly called Xq28 Duplication. This condition has given him a life of numerous heath battles to include many pneumonias, a diagnosis of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (an advanced Epileptic disorder), surgeries, loss of gross and fine motor skills, and a tracheostomy, to name a few. But with all of these challenges and changes in his life one thing has not changed and that is his love for Southern Gospel Music. His favorite group has always been Ernie Haase & Signature Sound but many artists grace his collection of music to include The Diplomats, The Whisnants, Greater Vision (he loves the Hymn Sing and the Dr. Stanley videos), various Gaither videos, and of course his dads group Clearvision Quartet.
Noah has spent countless days lying in his bed at home or at Children’s Hospital watching his music videos and listening to CD’s. In fact, that is how many of his nurses and doctors choose to remember him. They could always tell when he was feeling better and ready to go home due to the fact he would want his music andwould dance (bounce) to that music while in his hospital bed.
Last September, Noah and his family were granted a wish trip through the Sunshine Foundation. Normally, Sunshine will award kids with a trip to a Disney park, a NASCAR event or the like. However, none of those options would have worked for Noah. His family chose a trip to the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, TN. The trip was a dream come true for the family and couldn’thave been more fitting for this young gospel music lover. Many artists that week were touched by his story and his love for their music. Probably one of the most unexpected blessings of that week involved phone calls from Mark Lowry and Bill Gaither (thanks Jeff Easter). Simply put, it was a week that the family feels blessed to have experienced and will never forget.
This week, Noah was sent home on Hospice care from his most recent hospital stay and it appears his days on this earth are coming to an end. During this difficult time his family can take solace in knowing that soon he will be completely free of his earthy chains and will be able to see, worship and dance with the author of thesongs he has enjoyed for his entire life.
To keep up with Noah’s journey go to his Prayers for Noah page on Facebook. If you wish to send a note of encouragement or support to his family, email steve.cvq@gmail.com.
