It would seem to be a crushing weight for a toddler to bear.

At almost 2 years old, Austin Brittain has endured more than most adults. He was diagnosed with Down syndrome when he was born. Three days later, doctors discovered a bowel disorder that left Austin's tiny body arched with pain and saddled with a colostomy bag. Shortly afterward, the Brittains were told he might have leukemia.

Now Austin is facing his most difficult challenge -- a possible bone marrow transplant from his 4-year-old brother, who has been identified as a donor. His small, rural community of Norrisville in northern Harford County has rallied to help shoulder the burden of the little boy with the big health problems -- and a seemingly bigger will to live.

"In any way we can, people want to try and help. Especially for a child like Austin," said Joyce Edie, a neighbor of the Brittains who has helped with fund-raisers such as an antique auction, a T-shirt sale and a raffle.

Dotted with farms and clusters of homes, Norrisville is the kind of place where neighbors are like family. When Austin Tyler Brittain was born March 25, 1997, with Down syndrome, plenty of people offered their love and support.

The Down syndrome diagnosis was a shock for Kim Brittain, 35, and her husband, Kenneth Brittain, 34. They had two healthy sons, Jesse, now 8, and Cody, now 4. Brittain said prenatal testing gave no indication that her baby had problems.

"All of my tests came back normal," said Brittain. "I did everything right while I was pregnant. No drinking, no smoking and a healthy diet."

The family greeted the diagnosis with optimism. Austin would have some problems, but he was beautiful, and he was their baby.

Then came word the newborn had Hirschasprung disease, a sometimes painful bowel disorder. Fourteen days after his birth, the Brittains were told that a suspicious cell, sometimes common in children with Down syndrome, could be leukemia but they would have to wait months to be sure.

"Once he hit 11 months, we found out he did have it, and that's when we started the chemotherapy treatments," his mother said. "For one week out of every month, we would bring him to Sinai Hospital for treatments."

Kim Brittain left her job as a dental assistant to care for her youngest son. The family exhausted its $13,000 savings, cashing in retirement plans.

In October, Austin went into remission, and for almost three months, life was normal. During the holidays, friends and relatives visited without fear that their germs would infect Austin. He indulged in his favorite activities -- watching Barney videos, scooting around the floor and playing with his big brothers.

Doctors have said children with Down syndrome who are diagnosed with this form of leukemia usually recover after the first round of chemotherapy, but Austin has not. The disease, an adult form of leukemia known as acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, returned in January. Their Christmas gift of wellness for Austin had run out and his mother took it hard.

"A lot of people on the outside don't understand what Kim is going through," said Karen Goldberg, a nurse at Sinai who has helped to care for Austin. "There is a special bond between her and Austin and it's like they are soul mates."

The closeness was evident as Kim Brittain rocked her son in his hospital room. She cried softly as she talked about the rigors of caring for a sick child and her fears for the future.

Brittain endures the long nights and the separation from her other children who remain at home with their father while she stays with Austin. Her middle son, Cody, has been matched as a bone marrow donor for Austin, but the insurance benefits from her husband's job as a construction worker will pay only 80 percent of the cost.

Cost of operation

The Brittains are awaiting an exact cost for the operation, which has been scheduled at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Fund-raisers are being held because the Brittains can't afford to pay for their portion of the surgery.

Kim Brittain knows she is not alone -- thousands of children are critically ill like Austin. But Brittain said she considers herself blessed to live in a town where people have been giving.

When Brittain talked about how hard it is to ask for help, Austin sat up in her lap, gazed at her with his large blue eyes, and cooed comfortingly as he hugged her.

"You don't want to feel like you are imposing on people," Brittain said tearfully. "So many people have been so kind to us."

Neighbors cook dinners for her family in her absence. A fund-raising dance has been planned next month and everyone from the local churches to the Ladies Auxiliary group is selling T-shirts or raffle tickets to help Austin.

Children raise money

Norrisville Elementary School pupils, who number less than 300, held a "Pennies from Heaven" drive and raised $1,106, which will be presented to Austin's brother Jesse at an assembly Friday.

It might seem like small stabs at a big problem, but in the farming community of Norrisville it goes to the heart of what it means to be a good neighbor.

"I think it boils down to, it's a child in need," said Carolyn Daughton, a neighbor and friend of the Brittains. "Norrisville is just a very close-knit, small community and we all have helping hands."

Anyone wishing to donate money may send contributions to the Austin Brittain Fund, c/o York Federal Bank, 19 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Stewartstown, Pa., 17363.

Pub Date: 3/24/99