Clifford James Birdsinger

Clifford was born on April 20, 2015, with a rare genetic condition called Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia, with a life expectancy of under two years. For the decade that he rolled on this Earth, Clifford freelanced in ministry and heart surgery, but his specialty was defying medical professionals' prognoses and curing friends and family with snuggles.

Clifford was a beloved attendee and congregant of his family’s church, Capital Presbyterian Herndon, and was baptized at McLean Presbyterian Church. He was a tenacious rebel and trend-setter at Kilmer Center School where he was beloved by his classmates, teachers and administrators. Clifford was non-verbal but learned to communicate in many ways through the gifted staff at Kilmer, most incredibly through a tablet that used eye-gaze technology.

Clifford taught his parents, Daphne and Shane, more about life and courage than any text-book or schooling ever could. Clifford was an incredible older brother to his sister, Dorothea, and brother, Cleven. He would often host slumber parties with his siblings and play practical jokes on his parents and caregivers. Aside from his family, Clifford was cared for by over a hundred different homecare nurses over his ten years, but he made an indelible impression on a few who tirelessly served him until the end, including Precious, Linda and his partner in crime and BFF, Meridith.

Clifford was an adventurer, traveler and thrill seeker who lived life with an all-gas, no brakes approach. Against medical advice, he flew on a Southwest airplane to Texas to meet his Grandfather and namesake, before he passed. His many other annual adventures included hiking in the Shenandoah, racing down hills in 5Ks at National Harbour, dancing with many friends during annual Vacation Bible School, sticking his toes in the surf and floating in the Atlantic Ocean at Lewes, Delaware and Sandbridge, Virginia, “driving” tractors and riding a horse on a family farm in Delaware, soaring high on a ferris wheel and even rocking a roller coaster at the Delaware State Fair. He gained a reputation for hosting the best birthday party celebrations, and he even got to be a celebrity on a news short with his siblings this last Christmas season. He absolutely insisted on enjoying life. Clifford connected thousands of people, melted hearts and glorified God!

Clifford is temporarily separated from the following family with a reunion date to be determined: