A few minutes after my son was born I held him in my arms I looked up at my beloved and didn't have the words to express what I was feeling. Just like that, I was a mother.
It was a year before he'd be diagnosed with a vision disorder that caused delays. It would be another two years before his sister would join us and bring a surprise inside her body that she would share with her brother. It would be then that we would learn they both had Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease, or ARPKD.
Motherhood was an adjustment, as you might imagine. I'd like to think I'd handled it pretty well in those early days. Two years before my son was born I'd begun freelancing, anticipating staying home with a baby and I worked nearly full-time until he was born. I'd nursed exclusively, he was a good sleeper (undiagnosed kidney disease anyone?) and I felt competent. We did okay, the two of us.
Fast forward a couple of years and within 3 months we had two sick kids with multiple special needs to take care of that resulted in an unbelievable amount of appointments for the next year because blood pressure stabilization and 10-13 (ot, pt, speech, vision & feeding) therapy visits a week.
It was a terrible time of adjustment for me but as I just put one foot in front of another a transformation happened. As I was caring for them and their complicated needs I started to change.
I became an advocate.
A caregiver, tear wiper.
I became a story teller, a schedule keeper.
A comforter and soul protector.
I became a researcher and juggler. A medical aide and fighter.
Pill dispenser. A shot giver.
A volunteer, a speaker.
I became fearless and fearful.
I became a better daughter, sister, mother. A better friend.
I became a better wife.
I became more grateful.
I became a better person.
I became the mother I am today.
Julia Roberts is co-founder of Support for Special Needs.com and until late last year was the writer of the blog Kidneys & Eyes. She lives in Atlanta with her husband Julian (yeah, the name thing is a bit much for them, too.) and kids, who have both had kidney transplants, will need liver transplants and are thriving at a school for kids with learning differences. She survives by laughing at her life and regular infusions of Diet Coke.
Isn't wonderful how we're given the strength and the wisdom to rise to the challenge and be the mothers we were meant to be! It's a journey, certainly, and most definitely a challenge, and yet a wonderful joy, too!
ReplyDeletelongchamp, oakley outlet, pandora, louboutin outlet, ugg australia, woolrich sale, new balance, beats headphones, north face outlet, air max 90, louis vuitton, rolex watches, prada handbags, cheap true religion, ralph lauren outlet, louis vuitton, toms shoes outlet, coach factory outlet, nike, watches, beats by dre, nike free 5.0, air max, nike roshe run, louis vuitton, north face, huarache, cheap michael kors, ugg boots, p90x workout, cheap jerseys, levi's jeans, air max 2015, tiffany, prada handbags
ReplyDeletezhengjx20160505
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton outlet
ralph lauren home
ray ban outlet
coach outlet
marc jacobs outlet
cheap uggs
copy watches
adidas superstar trainers
nike roshe run mens
michael kors outlet online sale
montblanc pens
pandora charms
coach outlet
coach outlet
coach factory outlet online
polo ralph lauren outlet
coach factory outlet
nike air force 1 white
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton purses
rolex watches
longchamp handbags
coach outlet
abercrombie outlet
coach outlet
nike store outlet
ralph lauren
kate spade handbags
retro 11
kate spade purses
kobe 10
lebron 12
louis vuitton outlet
adidas yeezy
toms wedges
coach outlet store online
coach outlet online
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet clearance
kd 8
Bandar Togel Terpercaya
ReplyDeleteTogel Online
Bocoran Togel Hk
Prediksi Togel
ReplyDeleteOur client can choose any of them as per their convenient. We are also open to send our angels any other place of your choice.Call Girls in Haridwar are waiting eagerly to meet you. You need to decide whether you want to meetthem at home or at any hotel. If you are facing any challenges in arranging any place, let me inform you that we have tie-ups with 3 start hotels as well as 5 start hotels. Check our other services...
Call Girls in Lucknow
Call Girls in Pune
Call Girls in Shimla
Call Girls in Surat
Call Girls in Udaipur
Russian Escorts in Faridabad
ReplyDeleteThe sexy women we have with us at our agency atCall Girls in Gurgaon has a unique set of sex talents for their clients. They might even strip your clothes off and give you the best blowjob that you have been longing for! Check our other Services...
Air Hostess Call Girls in Gurgaon
Call Girls in Gurgaon
Charges of Call Girls in Gurgaon
Contact No of Call Girls in Gurgaon
Escorts Service in Gurgaon
Hurrah! Finally I got a website from where I be capable
ReplyDeleteof truly take helpful facts regarding my study and knowledge.카지노사이트핫
Many thanks for this inspiring blog post. gutter companies Ocala FL
ReplyDelete