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CLEAR Temp: 62 °F Wind: ENE at 5 mph Monday, May 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 15, 2003 Atkinsons take premature baby home After a difficult year, the senator declares 2002 officially over as he brings his first child home By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — The infant son of Sen. Jason Atkinson, born nearly four months premature, was sent home this past weekend. Perry Allmand Atkinson, named for his grandfather, was released from the neo-natal unit of the Oregon Health and Science University. Weighing just under 2 pounds at birth on Dec. 15, he now tips the scales at just over 8 pounds, his proud father said. "He’s doing great. We couldn’t be happier," said Atkinson, who credited prayer and the care nurses at OHSU and Rogue Valley Medical Center for the infant’s progress. This is the first child for Atkinson and his wife, Stephanie. Atkinson said his son’s premature birth came at the end of a "very difficult road" last year that began with his brother’s near-fatal skiing accident in March. Andy Atkinson suffered a skull fracture after hitting a patch of ice on Mount Ashland and crashing into rocks. "He’s doing fine now. He’s back at work," Sen. Atkinson said. In November U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith pushed to replace Perry Atkinson as state Republican chairman. The senior Atkinson said Smith had made a "veiled threat" to derail Jason Atkinson’s political career unless the elder Atkinson stepped aside. A spokesman for Smith denied the charge. Atkinson was redistricted out of his legislative seat by Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, forcing him to move. Then came last year’s five grueling special sessions. "I can now declare that 2002 is officially over," Atkinson said in an interview Monday. "I feel so lucky, so blessed today." The family has been staying in the Portland area, but plans to move to Salem this weekend for the rest of the legislative session. A history buff, Atkinson has nicknamed his son "Pomp." That was what members of the Lewis and Clark expedition called Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea who guided the explorers on the epic journey to explore and map the West. Atkinson has kept a daily journal of his son’s struggles. He says one of his greatest joys is holding his only child and reading to him. Right now, he said, they are starting a biography of Charles Erskine Scott Wood, a prominent early Oregonian. "So far it’s been a real page-turner," says Atkinson. "My son really likes it." Don Jepsen is a free-lance writer living in Salem. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S