|  The
inspiration from a child comes to most parents before their child
is even born. Mine was no different. I was given "genetic counseling" about
six months into the pregnancy. It wasn't a clear diagnosis, but
it was given, just the same. Of course I became overwhelmed and
even a bit manic. My pregnancy was good after that until a broken
ankle at 8 months and pre-eclampsia to follow.
My
miracle was born in the spring of 2003 on a Friday night at
about 8:30. She was my inspiration then, but I didn’t
know it yet. I found that out in mid-June of the same year when
her pediatrician noticed the lines in her hands and the depth
of the bridge of her nose. Her chromosome test came back as 76%
affected Mosaic Down Syndrome. Following my short-lived anxiety
attack, I went into our room, stared at her beautiful little
sleeping face and picked her up. I held her tight and didn’t
let her go. She comforted me with her soft baby breath in my
ear and the gentle caress from her fisted hand.
From
there, it was appointment after appointment, trip after trip
to Children’s Hospital, where they were a wonderful part
of my baby’s life. My baby girl was such a little trooper,
hardly complaining about the pokes, prods and machines hooked up
to her tiny little body nearly every week. She is one of the lucky
ones, though. It turns out her only health issue related to Trisomy
21 is an underactive thyroid.
She
continues to inspire me. She is a 4-year-old little princess
who doesn’t want to share any of her thoughts yet, but
I’m
sure she will have tons to say once she figures it out. She is
as tall and weighs as much as a 5 to 6 year old, after only weighing
in at 5 pounds 6.6 ounces at birth.
There are days when I see children playing, or notice parents
staring because my child is different. She can’t quite climb the
way the other kids can, or swing all by herself. It is also difficult
at times to watch the other kids running toward mom or dad with
arms wide open shouting, “Mommy, Daddy!” However,
I am so pleased when my child isn’t carrying on in the store
because she’s asking for something she can’t have.
As wonderful as it will be to hear her ask for something for the
first time, I know I am lucky my daughter is content to play with
me. Yay!
Every
day of my life, I watch her as she grows and thrives. She does
something new every day. I am sure every child does that, but
it seems to be more inspiring to watch your child come from so
far. She inspires me to become everything she needs and as much
as she wants me to be. If not for her, there is really no telling
where I would be. In fact, I’m pretty sure she saved my life
(but I suppose that is a story for another time). I thank God for
giving her to me, although I don’t know what I did to deserve
her. He, through her, has taught me patience and understanding.
I have learned love and kindness. I have seen and held beauty in
its most pure form. I am truly blessed with inspiration, and every
day is different, but still inspiring. |
