Treven hangs from the monkey bars on the playground at Perryville Elementary during recess on Wednesday. Because he has Down’s syndrome, Treven is developmentally behind other kids his age.
Treven and his father, Andy Comstock, wait outside the equestrian center for Treven’s horse therapy session. Andy admits he has different views about how to raise Treven: “to me, I see him and think I can make him into a man. But for Bettina, he’s still her baby.”
Bettina holds Treven up in the grocery store so he can weigh an apple.
Treven peers at his teacher’s paper during writing practice in English class at Perryville Elementary School. Treven was diagnosed with a rare form of Down’s Syndrome as an infant and struggles to catch up with writing and speech.
Treven starts eating his lunch he brought from home while his classmates stand in line at the cafeteria.
Treven greets his mother, Bettina, with a big hug after school.
After his mom picked him up from school, Treven curled up on the sidewalk outside before bouncing back up again. Treven also has ADHD and needs medication to help him focus during the day in school. Even though he can be a lot to handle when he’s hyper, “it’s hard to stay mad at him for too long,” Bettina says.
Bettina helps Treven do his homework after school on Sept. 22, 2015. “Maybe other parents would have more discipline with him, but his day at school is so structured,” Bettina says.
Treven’s instructor, Krystal, shows him how to take care of the horse after his therapy session. The therapy is meant to help Treven develop his motor skills, build muscle strength, and deal with sensory issues that come with being around animals and people.
Amari, Andy and Treven play Mario on the Wii together before Bettina gets home from work. Amari had been babysitting Treven all day, and often helps out when they have days off from school.
After coming home from school, Treven immediately runs to his trampoline to play for a few minutes before heading inside to do homework.
Treven runs out of the bathroom using his towel as a cape. His mom or sister, Amari, help him take a shower before bed at night.
Treven tries on one of his many superhero costumes in his bedroom. Like other kids his age, he loves cartoons and superhero movies.
Bettina falls asleep while Treven watches Jumanji to calm down. Being a night owl, Treven needs medication to fall asleep, and his mom usually hugs him while watching a movie in his room to help him relax.
“He’s S-M-A-L-L,” says Bettina of her son Treven Comstock, 8, who lives large with a rare developmental disability called Translocation Down’s syndrome. Treven is lucky: he has loving parents, a supportive community, and a room full of superhero costumes to help him navigate his world.
Photographed for the Missouri Photo Workshop, 2015.