HI everyone and thanks for visiting my corner of the web!! A special thanks to my sis Yodey for sharing her site with me. Just a little info about myself....I am a mom, first and foremost, to 2 great kids, Miranda, 4 and Zachary 3. I have a wide variety of interests, mostly involving the outdoors, and of course, the web! I also write a little, and my side career is training horses. Just an all around out west sort of girl I guess! LOL I am also blessed with a very special child in my son Zachary. He has multiple disablilities including mild cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder. Having Zach has truly opened a new door in my interests, goals and outlook. It has become one of my main goals in life to try to share as much information and offer as much support as possible to other parents of special needs children. So with that in mind I will share a little of my families story. Zach was born 6 weeks premature in April of 1995. This was no surprise to me as the pregnancy had been a complicated one and I had had a previous premie. Although he was expected to do well, it was not to be. He had numerous problems including jaundice, lung disease, and a bleed in his brain. When he finally came home, his developement did not take the course that we had expected, and he was started in physical, speech and occupational therapy. Through these programs I met many wonderful people, and became actively involved in an organization called Rising Stars Alliance that raises money for children from birth through age five with a variety of disablilities. During my web searches for information, I found my way to the MGH neurology chat rooms, and met even more great people who became a wonderful source of support in the ensuing months. Having Zach changed so many aspects of my life, it was amazing. Especially when the seizures started. If any of you out there are parents of a child with a seizure disorder, you will know what I mean. Of all the challenges we had faced and won, the seizures were by far the most frustrating. It took three months before we even figured out the problem WAS seizures, it took another six months after that for us to obtain a positive EEG, and then came the seemingly endless trials of medications and tests, blood draws for medication levels, urine analysis, metabolic screenings, the list went on and on. And in the middle of it all was a little boy who simply could not understand why every time he turned around someone in a white coat was poking him with a needle or giving him medication that was supposed to help him sleep. We were very, very, lucky. We eventually found a wonderful neurologist who knew how to LISTEN as well as speak, and who most importantly knew when to say enough is enough. We also had good results with a newer drug, Neurontin (gabapentin) and I am pleased to say that Zach has been basically seizure free for nearly a year. I guess the most frequent question I hear asked, addressed to me, or from new parents of a special needs child, has to do with "normal." Of course, our society is obsessed with beauty and normalcy, an intangible status quo that by some unseen method we are taught from birth. In sleepless nights and jaunts through my soul, I have come to see a new definition of "normal." I asked myself questions I wasnt necessarily proud of, and came to one conclusion that was right for me. When I decided to have children, I vowed that I would love and accept them no matter who or what they grew to be. Of course, I hoped like all mothers to raise happy, healthy individuals who shared my values and achieved their goals. But that led me to realize, was it their goals I wanted them to achieve? Or MINE. And so I decided that no matter WHAT I would accept and support my children, and if I wasnt prepared to do that, I wouldnt have them. I didnt realize how soon that resolve was to be tested. So when someone asks me "Is he, well, ummm, normal?" I say yes. Because he is completely, totally and utterly "normal" for Zachary. He has achieved far more than anyone ever expected. He has done it all with a smile on his face. He has loved unconditionally. He is a perfect, beautiful and wonderful creation. And he is my son, no matter what. The second most common question I hear is "why" Why me? Why my child? What caused this? Was it that hot dog I ate in the first tri mester? Was it my migraine medication? In any of our childrens lives, there are hosts of uncertainty, an infinite number of whys. And while it is far less messy to tie a problem down to a cause, most often that is not to be. The "why's" of this life can drive one mad. I am not saying that it is wrong to ask these questions, I believe it is a natural part of the process, the process of growth and healing. And oftentimes we all come to different answers. In our situation there was a host of incidents that could have caused Zachary's trouble. The way I have dealt with that is to put the "why's" aside. And to focus on the "how's" The hows that are a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. The "how' to overcome a new days obstacle. Or the "how" to fully experience the joy of a new accomplishment. These "hows" have become far more important than any "why." I dont pretend that I can solve all of my sons challenges. I dont pretend to have all the answers, or think that I can make his life perfect. In a sense, I have no desire to. I simply want to give him the foundation to meet HIS goals. I want to teach, to nurture, to help him develope his special talents. This, I believe, is the job of any parent. Even at the hour that I write this, many, many questions remain unanswered. "Will he ever talk?" "What is the real issue behind this symptom?" "Do we have an accurate diagnosis?" "Are we on the correct path?" And, of course, I ponder these things, but most importantly I focus on the daily joys, those triumphs so often taken for granted or overlooked. To see him come cruising out of his bedroom in the morning with his hair looking like a chickens butt and a maniacal grin on his face. Therein lies the treasure. I have learned many important lessons in my three years with Zachary. The most important one being patience. For a red head who knew no such word, used to accomplishing any task the first time, and not waiting a minute over none, this was my greatest challenge. Secondly, acceptance. Acceptance for the things that we are truly powerless to change. Until Zach, I dont believe I ever knew the true meaning of "powerless". A side of myself I refused to see through the vanity of youth perhaps. But to watch your child convulse on the floor before you is to intimately know what it is to be powerless. I am eternally greatful for the gift that is Zachary. And the many, many lessons, joys, and trials he has brought to my life. To all of you, this is simply a little piece of me. Do with it what you will, and if I can ever, at any time provide support, a listening ear, a shoulder, information, anything, I do so urge you to contact me. Though I know not your faces, I can see you in my heart. All the best, and thanks for reading!!!
kalycat@foxinternet.net