Tuesday, November 11, 2008

So true...

I got this in an email from Zac's cousin today. It put a smile on my face.

You know you have a child with special needs when...

You compare ER's instead of grocery stores.
You compare your child's oxygen saturation's.
You view toys as "therapy".
You don't take a new day for granted.
You teach your child HOW to pull things out of the cupboard, off the bookcases, and that feeding the dog from the table is fun.
The clothes your infant wore last fall still fit her this fall.
Everything is an educational opportunity instead of just having plain old fun.
You cheer instead of scold when they blow bubbles in their juice while sitting at the dinner table (that's speech therapy), smear ketchup all over their high chair (that's OT), or throw their toys (that's PT).
You also don't mind if your child goes through the house tooting a tin whistle.
You fired at least 3 pediatricians and can teach your family doctor a thing or two.
You can name at least 3 genes on chromosome 21. (You really know your toast if you can spell the full names correctly)
You have been told you are "in denial" by at least 3 medical or therapy professionals. This makes you laugh!
You have that incredible sinking feeling that you've forgotten SOMETHING on those few days that you don't have some sort of appointment somewhere!
You get irritated when friends with healthy kids complain about ONE sleepless night when they're child is ill!
Your vocabulary consists of all the letters OT, PT, SP, ADS, BSD, IFSP, etc.
You keep your appointment with the specialist even though a tropical storm is raging because you just want to get this one over with.....you waited 8 months to get it.....and besides, no one else will be there!
Fighting and wrestling with siblings is considered PT.
Speech therapy occurs in the tub with a sibling.
When potty training is complete, you take out a full page public notice in the Washington Post.
When the Doctors/Specialist/ Hospitals etc. all know you by your name without referring to your chart.
You keep a daily growth chart.
You calculate monthly statistics for the number of times your child vomits, and did this for more than one year.
You phone all your friends when your child sits up for the first time, at age two.
With a big smile on your face you tell a stranger that your four year old just started walking last week.
His/Her medical file is several inches thick and growing.
You have a new belief...... that angels live with us on earth.
I can so relate to some of these. I could probably even come up with a list of my own, but I'll save that for another post. Love you, Olivia!

3 comments:

Judy said...

Thanks for the perspective! I've been exhausted by this latest dose of pneunomia with McKenna. Nebulizer treatments round the clock every four hours. Medicine four different times a day. Just trying to keep her out of the hospital and I've only been doing this for two weeks. I can't imagine a few years of it!

May "the God of all hope" continue to strengthen you and fill you the strength, courage, determination and grace you need to face each day, each night, each sniffle, each dr appt, each good report, each trying time! We love you guys and love that girl of yours!

Anonymous said...

Dear Julie,
That is such a wonderful email you received! I'm sure it is so true!
When I'm having a bad "diabetes" day, I ALWAYS think of you guys and some other friends. Jake has his insulin to keep him healthy and we are thankful each day for that! We also feel that way when other parents complain of sleepless nights, etc. Yes, their children can go to a friend's house and not worry, can play all the sports in the world and not worry. Go to school all day and not worry. All of your appts., oxygen sats, etc. sure have got to be SO much to handle. That is your life day in and day out! Believe me when I say that when I do have a bad "diabetes" day or am feeling sorry for myself, you always come to mind. You are my inspiration....honestly Julie! I'm sure at times you don't want to be an inspiration to people. But I truly believe that God has special plans for you .....all of you. I just know that God will give you the courage and strength and patience you need to handle and celebrate Olivia's many milestones! You are on my prayer list daily...I hope you can feel the prayers being sent your way!
Have a great day!
Love,
Jen Weber
p.s. I love Olivia's new "shoes". How exciting it must be to see her stand against the couch! :)

Anonymous said...

she looks just like brooklyn in this pic.

ann neavor Rn Picu