I am new to the forums, but I have always found my fellow rennies to be some of the most amazing people known to me. I have always been able to come to them and know I would receive not pity, but love and understanding and prayer. I need it now.
My son was born 3 months early, at only 27 weeks. He was a tiny 1 pound, 14 ounces. The doctors told us if he went home alive, he would most likely be sick continuously or severely mentally retarded, maybe both.
JT is now 4 years old. He is overall very healthy. We recently (after 4 years of me begging the doctors to find out what is wrong) got a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. It is a blessing to us to finally have an answer, and to find out it is a mild form that can be overcome with therapy and time. He doesn't walk yet and is small for his size, but he is an absolutely joyful child with such a sweet, loving, exuberant spirit- always full of laughter and mischief and affection.
Now the other side of the coin. I am 26 and have had Juvenile Diabetes since I was 10. Ive always had a tough time controlling it, and over the years it has taken its toll- especially on my kidneys. I don't have health insurance (thank God, we have medicaid for JT), and my medical costs are pretty high. The only way for me to truly control my blood sugar is to be on the insulin pump, which runs us about 1000 a month for supplies and medication. We are working on the insurance thing - but its slow going. We're in that spot so many Americans are- we make enough to get by but not really enough to keep affording all this plus my doctor bills, and too much for state assistance.
Please, pray for JT and I. That my own health doesn't make me too weak to take care of his. Im so utterly exhausted somedays, and I know I haven't fought as hard for him as I should have. Pray that maybe, just maybe, I can quit blaming myself and instead focus that energy on his wellbeing, and my own.
I appreciate those of you who have taken the time to read this. Your prayers are a blessing to me. Im feeling a little worn down and frustrated right now, but I know that God will carry me through this.
Thanks.
Loving prayers sent for your strength to help you with the miracle that is your son.
Ferret
You and your son are in my thoughts.
You and yours are in my prayers and thoughts. God bless you and your family. :)
Lishy you and your son are in my thoughts and prayers,and you are right God will help you through this.Just have faith M'lady.
Your own personal trials have made you stronger for your son.
May the Supreme Being continue to watch over you, and to strengthen you for the efforts to come.
Bless you!
Lishy, you and your son are in my prayers.
Lishy,
my heart broke for you when i read your post. There are not too many people on here who know this about me, matter of fact maybe no one, but i am about to share something with you, cause i felt i needed too.
I was born with mild cerebral palsy. The doctors had to use forceps on me when i was born and thus I suffered a brain injury.
My mother started questioning that something was wrong with me when i was two years old. I was a bright, cheerful, happy child, but she noticed my coordination was not quite right. She mentioned this to the doctors who told her not to compare me to my three older sisters.
Not until i was in Kindergarten , and my teacher noticed something up too, that my mother finally was able to convince the doctors to test me.
They told my mother i had an extremely high IQ, but that i did have a mild form of cerebral palsy that would affect my balance and coordination on my left side.
During grade school i went to speech class, cause i had a slight lazy tongue. other then that i was happy active child. I could not do gymnastics , or take part in gym or ride a bike because of my balance , but i was happy. My parents got me into horse back riding and swimming, and dance class which helped my balance and when i was 12 years old i surprised them by riding a bike for the first time.
During highschool, i took part in softball, and the highschool drill team. I continued to excel in my horse back riding. I was very smart in school and got good grades. I exceled in writing, history, and art. ( they say children with CP often have very high IQ's ). The only problem i had was i could not do certain things in gym glass that required good balance and dexterity, and i was some times teased by the other kids, but i survived.
I graduated from highschool with honors. I learned to drive a car. I went on to college and then worked as a nursery school teacher . Despite my balance problem i did some professional modeling and acting, and then got married and had a child of my own.
So life is still manageable and bearable with mild cerebral palsy.
If anyone looked at me today, it would be hard for them to tell that i had a disability, except for when i am out somewhere and have to do steps or stairs. i can not do steps or stairs because of my balance . i always use a elevator. But other then that i have manged okay.
So hang in there. There is so much they can do for CP today !
I advise getting your son into some kind of physical therapy routine or some exercises program to keep his muscles strong.
Good luck, and if you need to talk let me know. I would be happy to listen.
Oh, and i am also a diabetic. I develop it when i was pregnant with my son. I'm not on insulin , but it is still a pain maintaining a strict diet.
So like i said, if you need to talk, i'm here ! Hang in there ! :)
Oh Lishy, I just found this thread, and I'm sorry I didn't see it before! Of course I'll be sending prayers and healing energy to the both of you, and your whole family, as well. I know how difficult it is to keep your energy up with diabetes, and having to be there to take care of your son makes the stress level even higher! If there's anything I can do for you, sweetie, just let me know.
Lots of love coming your way, hon!!!
Lishy, my thoughts of strength and healing are with you and your son :)
I just wanted to thank you all for your encouragement and warmth. It fills me with strength and energy to see so many people who care about me, and about Jeff.
I am hoping to get a website up soon with a little about Jeff and I and his progress with CP.
Thanks again to you all.
Blessed be.