Los Angeles — Ellen Catania holds son Dylan Catania at their home in Los Angeles. A month shy of his second birthday, it is difficult to tell that Dylan survived surgery to remove nearly half of his brain.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — Dylan Catania walks with the help of his father, Jeff Catania, into their home. Dylan had a rare condition called hemimegalencephaly. No more than two dozen children with the condition are born each year in the U.S.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — When Dylan scoots up to Santa and pushes a button at his feet, Santa begins to sing. Dylan knows when the song is about to end and delightedly pushes the button again and again and again.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — Dylan aloft on his father's shoulders. Dylan had a radical surgery that removed nearly half of his brain in April.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — Dylan, who is learning to feed himself, laughs during dinner.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — After his brain surgery, Dylan has remained seizure-free.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — Dylan stands between his father's arms. As he turns 2, his personality is emerging: He likes pasta with red sauce, playing catch or wrestling with his dad, sitting on slick leather chairs at Starbucks to greet strangers, and holding his breath underwater. He does not like baby food, sitting in his car seat or taking naps.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — Dylan scoots through the hallway, opening doors in his home.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — Ellen and Jeff Catania laugh while watching their son play on their bed.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — Jeff Catania watches his son play with the TV remote.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles — Dylan's sister, Bella, and mother, Ellen Catania, lie next to Dylan. It's bedtime and they want Dylan to fall asleep. Dylan, almost 2, has other plans. He wants to play with the singing Santa in the living room.
PHOTOGRAPH BY: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times
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