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Posted by Brad's Mom --Previous Message-- There's one thing that really helped me in putting things in perspective. A year before Brad was born, I gave birth to a nine and a half pound, 42 week son named Matthew. Unfortunately Matthew became stuck in the birth canal, took fluid into his lungs during that time, then was born with resulting complications that caused his death the following day. That experience taught me how special each child is and that no matter what problems are encountered in parenting, we need to be the strongest, most loving and supportive advocate we can be. Even though Matthew only lived a day, he was a very real part of our family and always will be. Brad was born the following year with special needs. I took my own advice to heart and knew that whatever problems he had, I could deal with them because it always could be worse. Focus on the time and opportunities we have rather than grieving over what we don't. Over the years he has taught me so much and I feel blessed. His sister is now a special ed teacher and his younger brother is in college and has been active as a Special Olympics volunteer for many years. Love your children for what they are and treasure every minute. You won't regret it.
on 4/17/2006, 12:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Parenting Over the Years"
204.211.80.15
: :
: --Previous Message--
: My son is now 20 years old. As an
: infant
: and toddler, he presented a number of
: atypical conditions that defied
: classification for a long time.
: Ultimately he was diagnosed with
: DiGeorge Syndrome/velocardiofacial
: syndrome. In dealing with this over
: the years, one thing I've learned is
: that children with these conditions
: have a wide variety of symptoms and
: needs. Nothing seems standard - all
: are different.
:
: I just want to encourage parents to
: hang in there. Help your child get
: treatment for the problems that are
: treatable and teach them how to be the
: most they can be despite the ones that
: can't be changed.
:
: Especially in his first 5-6 years, we
: went from specialist to specialist -
: all sorts of surgeries and therapy.
: Then we got to the place we realized
: he's ours and we love him no matter
: what. Life became a lot more sane
: after that point. We still made sure
: he got all he needed but no longer
: obsessed in a search for the miracle
: "cure".
:
: Brad's a sweetheart. He graduated from
: high school with an occupational
: diploma and now works at a sheltered
: workshop. He has areas where he still
: struggles, yet also has areas where he
: amazes you with his intelligence and
: insight. Anyone who knows him will
: tell you he's a great young man.
:
: If I can help anyone struggling with
: issues of parenting their very special
: child, please contact me. I am also a
: career social worker so know the
: system from many different angles.
:
:
:
: Wow....What an inspiration just
: hearing how you have overcome so much.
: it gives me hope.
: Thanks for sharing and offering your
: support
:
: Mechille
: Mom to Jared (22q12.1 duplication),
: Amanda 14 and Jenna 10
:
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