My own son is allergic to peanuts, so I can sympathize with all of the people out there dealing with the peaunt butter recall, wondering what they are going to put in their children’s lunches or use in their snacks. I found this article that has some pretty good ideas for peanut butter alternatives. Personally, I like Sunbutter the best.
Every year around New Year’s Eve, my husband and I try to take time out of the chaos that is our daily life and make goals for the coming year. We also like to reflect on the year that is passing and on life in general. I was thinking about this the other day when a commercial for St. Jude’s came on the TV. The one reminds us to be thankful for our healthy children and remember those who are not. It makes me cry almost every time. A reminder that it could be my sweet boy so sick and missing his beautiful, curly hair.
Even though we have to live with this syndrome every day, I have to be thankful. Thankful that we are not at St. Jude’s, but, if he did develop Leukemia or Aplastic Anemia, we live in a country where medical care is readily available. I am thankful for the doctors who, even though we’ve been to some who are not the most sensitive (complete jerks), are keeping a close watch on my little boy. I am thankful that we have pharmacies with the medications that we need right down the road because I have been to areas in the world where parents cannot get the medicines that their children need.
I wish every day that my children did not have to go through life with these syndromes, but I am thankful for my children and everything that they have taught me about strength, faith, and love. I am learning to stop asking “Why?” and rely on my faith that everything is going to turn out fine. I have realized that I am not in control (which is really hard for a control freak like me) and that I must “let go and let God.”
In this coming year, I am going to try my hardest to be happy, have faith that all will be well, and live each day to the fullest. This is what I want my children to learn for me. Every day is a gift and every moment that I have with my children is a blessing. Some days are harder than others, and I’ve had plenty of breakdowns, but I am going to try my hardest to make every day a fantastic day. I wish each of you a Happy New Year. May it be filled with love, happiness, and sense of peace. God bless.
This is such an emotionally moving video done by a man to his son, Elliot, who was born with Trisomy 18. Eliot only lived 99 days, but his life touched so many.
Most parents who find out that their child has Trisomy 18 before birth choose to abort their baby. I applaud Eliot’s parents for choosing life. Their choice allowed them the precious gift of their son. As his father says in the video:
“An underdeveloped lung, a heart with hole in it and DNA that placed faulty information into each and every cell in your body could not stop God from revealing himself through a child who never uttered a word. Not a pulpit not a slick presentation not a best selling book, but a six pound boy with Trisomy 18. God found great pleasure to take a lowly thing in the eyes of the world and show truth.”
Please watch this tribute to their son.
Alaska’s governor, Sarah Palin, recently gave birth to her fifth child. He is a beautiful baby boy named Trig Paxon Van Palin.
He was born with Down Syndrome.
A statement released by her and her husband, Todd says,
“Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed.”
I am so happy that, though they knew before birth that Trig was going to have Down Syndrome, she continued with her pregnancy and is taking so much joy in the life of her baby. 90% of American mothers who find out that the baby that they are carrying has Down Syndrome choose to have an abortion. They believe that abortion is the best option when in truth they are missing out on what could be one of life’s greatest blessings.
To read more about Trig’s birth please read this article.
Dr. Betty Williams, co-author of the book Very Young Children with Special Needs, presented the results of some of her research in a lecture. To find out more, please read this article.
Please take a moment to watch this video about a young boy named Titus who has aplastic anemia. Titus was born with his condition and this cord blood stem cell transplant was his best hope. It is a very informative video that explains how the transplant works.
“And the two will be one. So they are no longer two but one.” Mark 10:8
It is every parent’s worst nightmare: Learning that there is something wrong with your child. I remember that feeling all to well when a doctor told me that my son Luke probably had Cystic Fibrosis. I felt as though the room was shrinking, my brain went numb, and all I wanted to do was hold my baby and cry. It turns out that my son did not have Cystic Fibrosis, but a rare genetic syndrome called Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. It was a very long and difficult road to diagnosis and there were many times that I almost forgot about the one person who understood how I felt the most. My husband.
Scientists have discovered a genetic link for Spina Bifida. Please read more about it in this article.
Just because you have a physical disability does not mean that you can not live a wonderful life! I would like you to meet a wonderful woman who has overcome her challenges with parenthood, love and life in general. Please meet Christine Regber-Martens, an amazing mother, wife and friend to all who have met her.
Luke Anthony does not let Cystic Fibrosis nor his blindness stop him from reaching his dreams. Read about this exceptional young man in this article.