From the moment we recovered from the initial shock of learning we had a child with Down syndrome we realized we were lucky. How many times did we hear, say, or even think, “It could be so much worse.” We were told on more than one occasion if it had to be something; Down syndrome is the diagnosis you want.
While we spent those first few weeks in the hospital, we continued to be lucky. The suspected heart murmur turned out to be nothing. Peanut’s heart is healthy. The platelets transfusion from the anonymous donor was successful and no additional transfusions were needed. Peanut was able to eat from a bottle and gained weight, if not very slowly. I don’t even recall if she had jaundice, but if she did, it must have been minor.
At home Peanut continued to grow and excel. She was crawling by 10 months of age! Not some kind of scoot but the perfect opposite, hand/foot on your knees crawl. She was walking at 19 months and running soon after. Her only major concern was weight gain and even there we have been lucky. To date, all blood tests for celiac and thyroid problems have come back negative. No special diets are needed.
At three we are no longer as concerned about her weight for the most part. She continues to grow on her growth curve. Her speech has now become our focus. Little thoughts of apraxia have been entering my mind lately. Even if this is the case, we will overcome it.
As I look around the blogosphere and visit so many beautiful families, I often think how difficult it must be for them. Feeding tubes and heart monitors and so much medical equipment I wouldn’t know what to do with and would be afraid to administer. I sometimes feel apologetic to be grouped into this group of mothers who are raising children with special needs. I’ve had it so easy in so many ways. I am lucky to have met them and grateful to belong.
The most important thing I do have in common with all of these mothers and fathers and siblings is we know how lucky we truly are. Regardless of the degree of medical or physical disability; regardless if the parents have lost their child at too young of age; we all know we are blessed and lucky to have been entrusted with this little person. Although our luck continues in the medical sense, no matter what may come, I know I am truly lucky.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Lucky
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23 comments:
I know I cannot possibly understand because I do not have a child with Down Syndrome, but it seems like all the stories I hear about parents with these special kids truly do feel lucky because of the life perspective these kids give them. I know it can't be easy at times, but to see the world through their eyes has to be so very special.
This was a great post - I've felt lucky many times too.
www.flutterandfly.com
Peanut is so cute, and that is so great that she is doing so well! I'm glad to hear you are so positive about everything , I'm not in your situation, so I can't understand what your going through, but I'm so happy to hear that everything is going so well!
Amen! I don't think you or anyone should feel guilty about being grouped among mothers struggling with special needs children. You have your challenges and blessings just like anyone. One thing I have learned is Yes, things could ALWAYS be worse--but I'm thankful they're not. We are all mothers who worry and wonder over our precious little ones, no matter what. I'm bet your so positive because of the doll you have. Thanks for an honest, beautiful post!
Sorry about my Enlish skills :)
Debbie, this post was simply beautiful!
You know, I used to feel much the same about my ability to handle all the medical equipment that we had to quickly master with our little one. I thought it would be something I could never be able to manage, but we did.
Please don't feel like you need to be apologetic, Debbie, because the truth is that if you had needed to manage all the medical equipment 'extra's' with Peanut, you would have done it beautifully. You know why? Because every word of your post shows how much you love Peanut. Love enables us to do things we never thought possible -- and you're doing many of those things each and every day with grace because of the love you hold in your heart for your beautiful children.
In this world of beyond ordinary families, your voice is a lovely one that fits right in. I feel both lucky and blessed to have met YOU ;)
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful thoughts from your heart!
~Michelle @ 5MFSN
as usual, you have written honestly and beautifully. you continually show that you are an amazing mom. michelle couldn't have said it any better.
thanks for sharing your family.
kate
p.s. i'm glad you stopped by for our make-up trivia tuesday...i haven't looked at anyone's answers yet.
In the beginning of our journey with epilepsy we had some very scary moments, but much like you I see other families who have a much heavier burden to bear and think how truely lucky we are.
I have met some wonderful people during our journey and each has blessed us in one way or another. I pray they all find strength in those difficult moments. My mum always told me god wouldn't give me what he didn't think I could handle. There's no rhyme nor reason why she was dealt the cards she was, but it's my job to teach her how to be strong in the face of adversity.
Lovely Post!
Nicely put my friend
That was truly a beautiful post. I think we all need to stop and remember just how lucky we are, because there is always someone somewhere who faces even bigger challenges.
Dang! I think Peanut has progressed on her milestones faster than Preston! He just wants to do it in his own time and that's okay, too! I hope you can look back at the speech thing too as the possibility that never happened! :)
My nephew was severly autistic, non verbal and such. He was such a special little guy. One of the biggest blessing we tooking into consideration is that his mom (our sister) would never have to worry about him doing bad things. She found it comforting to know that she wouldn't have to worry if he was lying to her about going somewhere, running off to a party, getting into drugs. She felt so blessed to have a child so sweet, perfect, and innocent. He was sucha blessing to her and us.
What a beautiful post Debbie, and a reminder to all of us to count our blessings.
I loved the photos too - Peanut looks like she was enjoying being snapped!
Joanna
You have an amazing talent. Not only are you a wonderful mother but a great writer. Every step of the way I felt the strength you have come out in your words. Whatever comes Peanut's way she will have you by her side and that will be all she needs.
What a precious story. Thank you so much for sharing :)
I enjoyed this post. My child had Cerebral Palsy, but is able to walk independently. I have felt the same way many, many times. Thanks for sharing. Peanut is beautiful!
Ladies,
I am sorry I didn't get around to responding yesterday. I wish I could say I had a really good reason, but I was just busy. Well, I guess I do, I was playing with the girls, pulling weeds and going to the pool. Then I went out to dinner with some mom's in one of my support groups. I did read each and every comment and they touched me deeply. I appreciate all you said and all your support. I have not had a chance to visit everyone else's carnival entiries, but have no fear, I WILL catch up. I'm really looking forward to it!
Oh, this is such a lovely post!
Peanut sounds a lot like Tarenne. :) We are lucky that we have not dealt with too many medical issues (T does have celiac) but we are ALL blessed by these children medical issues or not. HUGS
So very blessed. And so well said. Thank you.
Debbie...this post is amazing. i can feel your heart through your words. what a blessing you are to the world and what a blessing that little Peanut is to the world too- through the two of you i am learning so much.
mostly that y'all are amazing!
Thank you for sharing that with us. I think so often, we, that have children without these type of special needs look and say, "Oh, those poor mothers...", thank you for reminding us that there is joy and love and it is just a different situation. It absolutely touches my heart to read such a post!
Thanks for a beautiful post - your daughter is also lucky to have a family with such a great perspective :). I feel the same way too, very blessed!
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