momofsixteen
08-09-2008, 08:51 PM
Yes, I have sixteen of them. They are all special, but there is one in particular who is our "angel."
Joseph is now ten and has Down Syndrome. He has been both difficult and wonderful at the same time. I'm his stepmom, so it's been tough for us both when difficult. We love each other very much.
He was born to his mom and dad in 1998. He was their eighth child. Once they accepted this gifted son, they actually had more kids! Wow...
Their tenth child, Diana, was also born with Mosaic Down Syndrome. Not all of her cells have the extra chromosome. Only 25% of her bodies cells are affected, so though she is only six, she is on schedule with reading, and many developemental characteristics. Her size is small. She wears a size 4-5 toddler. She will be seven soon.
Then there is the premature baby, Douglas, who almost died at birth, but made it. He was blind in one eye, but now has sight at about 20/60 due to lots of patching the good eye to help the blind one "work out." I am thankful for his progress. He also has developmental delay due to not seeing how speech was developed. He is progressing nicely, and loves his preschool.
Since I arrived in my new family, I've discovered both of my own sons have learning disabilities. One has a reading problem. The other has a processing problem.
My eldest daughter had ADHD, was medicated, then we chose to just drop it.
Hubby's eldest daughter also has ADHD. A pyschologist came to our home for counseling and determined that many of the kids were hyperactive. Oh well, it could be due to being one of many!
Most of the kids, including those with special needs, are highly intelligent, so I encourage our children to do all they can. They may have to overcome insurmountable odds, but it will make them stronger and help them to become who God made them to be.
Special needs are needs, yes, but I like to focus on the special part, because we are all special to God.
Joseph is now ten and has Down Syndrome. He has been both difficult and wonderful at the same time. I'm his stepmom, so it's been tough for us both when difficult. We love each other very much.
He was born to his mom and dad in 1998. He was their eighth child. Once they accepted this gifted son, they actually had more kids! Wow...
Their tenth child, Diana, was also born with Mosaic Down Syndrome. Not all of her cells have the extra chromosome. Only 25% of her bodies cells are affected, so though she is only six, she is on schedule with reading, and many developemental characteristics. Her size is small. She wears a size 4-5 toddler. She will be seven soon.
Then there is the premature baby, Douglas, who almost died at birth, but made it. He was blind in one eye, but now has sight at about 20/60 due to lots of patching the good eye to help the blind one "work out." I am thankful for his progress. He also has developmental delay due to not seeing how speech was developed. He is progressing nicely, and loves his preschool.
Since I arrived in my new family, I've discovered both of my own sons have learning disabilities. One has a reading problem. The other has a processing problem.
My eldest daughter had ADHD, was medicated, then we chose to just drop it.
Hubby's eldest daughter also has ADHD. A pyschologist came to our home for counseling and determined that many of the kids were hyperactive. Oh well, it could be due to being one of many!
Most of the kids, including those with special needs, are highly intelligent, so I encourage our children to do all they can. They may have to overcome insurmountable odds, but it will make them stronger and help them to become who God made them to be.
Special needs are needs, yes, but I like to focus on the special part, because we are all special to God.