Remembering Helping Hands

You know your children may grow up but in your heart they are still your child always.  Also as they grow you remember those struggles they had throughout the journey.  Many that they themselves do not remember.  

When JD was born 3 months early, I was just so happy she was here.  And we counted the stars above in thanking God that she was healthy.  As she grew those first few years there were many trips back and forth to the hospital.  Her lungs were weak, her immune system slow in building and her developmental delays were ones that I took to heart.  Over time she learned how to walk off of her tippy toes but her balance has never been that great.  

We were lucky that there was a place to go for her.  Now we know she is also ADD and shows every sign of Asperger's Disorder which is a milder variant of Autistic Disorder.  This can often get in the way of our communications skills since she gets so caught up in what she is thinking yet not realizing it is not always coming across to others.  JD has medication for her ADD.  With the Asperger's it is more of learning and relearning often.  Her balance is never going to be right on so she is content to keep her feet firmly on the ground.  I am not too sure what other things we may realize as she grows that stems from her early start in life.  But I do know that her team of Doctors, nurses and therapist sure did help her, support us and give it their all for her to have the best start possible.

I am telling you this because I found out about the Hospital for Special Surgery.  Now it is not near me but is in New York.  I love knowing that there are the just right places for children to be able to get the help they need.  And when your in the right hands it so takes off some of the pressure and worry.  (Yeah, we are moms and worrying is part of the game.)  The Hospital for Special Surgery just opened the new CA Technologies Rehabilitation Center within the Lerner Children's Pavilion.  Its multidisciplinary staff includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.  We sure used many a physical therapist for JD.  You can also check out the Hospital for Special Surgery Facebook page.  I just think it helps to know where you can reach out for help.  You never know just when you or someone else might need that lil bit of information.  So chalk this up to my bit of networking today.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hospital for Special Surgery. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name as a thank you for participating. You should consult with your physician or other health care provider before beginning any rehabilitation/therapy, sports training, or exercise program.”