In his brief life, Cameron Gray managed to live longer and to pass more milestones than anyone could have predicted. His brave fight against the complications of a congenital disease ended Saturday, July 29, 2006 when he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. He was 41/2 months old. Cameron, the son of Jason and Regan Gray of Prattville, was born with a disease called alobar holoprosencephaly (HPE). When he was an embryo, his brain did not separate into hemispheres. Because of that, he had a cleft lip and cleft palate and suffered multiple seizures daily. From the time he was born, doctors did not expect him to survive beyond a few days. His mother was with him every moment of his life, caring for him. "He died surrounded by a family who loved him. You know, he died in my arms, which is where he was from the day he was born," said Regan Gray of her son. "Cameron showed me more about strength and courage and unconditional love than anyone could ever hope to be blessed with." But she said Cameron's life affected people outside his family, as well. "I think Cameron has touched so many lives by showing everyone that what is perfect is not necessarily what is perfect in the eyes of other people," she said. "Cameron was perfect in every way. He had the biggest heart. He smiled. He loved. He laughed, and he had the most amazing soul and spirit. You could look in his eyes and see it." If Cameron touched the lives of those in the community, Regan Gray said the community also touched her life by the way it supported Cameron. "I would like to thank everyone, all the people who were so kind, who devoted so many prayers to Cameron," she said. "The outpouring from this community, and the thoughtfulness and kindness that has been shown to my child is just amazing."