Count Your Blessings

I am very proud of my 4 1/2 year old daughter who has autism.  She struggles with so many things in life that her sisters and peers do not have to.  She amazes me with her talents and abilities.  She will always have my respect for the health problems she has acquired because of her autism. 

This little girl endures many doctor's appointments, testing for neurological and physical issues, and many blood draws that would make any kid scream.  She handles these appointments (mostly) with a cheerful demeanor.  She screams at times and does not understand why she must endure another needle stick.  I wish I could do these things for her but I can not. 

She has seen developmental pediatricians, regular pediatricians, occupational therapists, speech therapists, feeding therapists, psychologists,  ENT's, neurologists, GI doctors, endocrinologists, and many more throughout her short 4 1/2 years of life.  She see doctors at least every other month.

She holds illnesses longer than the average child.  A cold can last two weeks for her.  She is prone to ear infections.  She has had 3 sets of tube in 4 years.  She gets very ill from spring and fall allergies.  If someone sneezes around her, she will be sick in a few days. 

She does not understand illness.  She can not tell you in any way why she is sick.  She shuts down.  She stops drinking, eating, and focusing.  She melts down.  The pain of the illness is too much for her.  She reverts to wanting to be by herself.  She cries and screams and tries everything she knows to stop feeling so miserable. 

Autism has given her a lower, less active immune system.  Autism has taken away her ability to communicate what is wrong with her and how she feels.  Autism has made her a patient of about every pediatric speciality doctor at UNC hospitals.  Autism has made Mommy and Daddy frequent fliers at the hospital and clinics. 

Still, we know there are much worse situations we could be in.  As you walk through hospitals and clinics, you see kids getting cancer treatments, kids who can walk and may never be able to, kids who can't be kids because of their disabilities.

We are grateful for Abigail.  We are so lucky to have her in our lives.  We wish seeing all these doctors and specialists were not part of her life or ours, but know that they always will play a part in our lives.  We admire Abigail for all she has been through and will continue to go through.  She has more strength and stamina than most adults. 

Take time to think about how lucky you are to have healthy children.  If your child has minor health issues, like colds, allergies, and ear infections, you are lucky.  Take time to give your children an extra hug, to talk to them about their day, just to love them.  Look in your child for their strength.  Don't feel sorry for yourself.  Something we learned a long time ago.  Things can always be worse and a lot of people have it a lot worse than you do. 

This is what I remember everytime I stand next to Abigail getting blood drawn or getting put to sleep to endure yet another procedure.  I will forever count my blessings.  I have three of the best blessings in the world...Abigail, Audrey, and Allie.