F.R.I.E.N.D.S.H.I.P S.U.P.P.O.R.T E.D.U.C.A.T.I.O.N H.U.M.O.R
by Andee Dunn (Jan 1996)
FAITH . . . that God will never give me more that I can handle
RESOURCEFULNESS. . . to find what my children need
INTELLIGENCE. . . to comprehend all the medical and technical knowledge I'll be given
ENERGY. . . for all the many trips to doctors, clinics, hospitals, schools, etc.
NEIGHBORS. . . and friends that lend a hand now and then
DETERMINATION . . . that my children will each reach his or her maximum potential
STRENGTH . . . to continue in the face of depressing odds
HUMOR . . . to teach my children there's joy in life with special needs
INTUITION. . . to be able to know the right thing at the right time
PERSEVERANCE. . . so I can fight for the rights of my children
SUPPORT . . . from others that have 'been there' before me
UNDERSTANDING . . . for those times when they do what only multiples can do
PEACE. . . in knowing that I am doing my absolute best for my children
PRACTICALITY . . . so the dishes get done and the laundry too
OPEN-MINDEDNESS . . . when looking for the best therapies for each child
REMINDERS . . . so no one or nothing is forgotten
TENDERNESS . . . that I may not be too harsh when responding to ignorance
ENDURANCE . . . to get me through the times when no one knows why it didn't work
DEDICATION . . . to repeat thousands of necessary therapies upon my children
UNCONVENTIONAL . . . so I can make use of something not usually used that way
CONFIDENCE . . . in my abilities to know what my children need
ACCEPTANCE. . . so I can thank God everyday for giving me such special children
TRUST . . . in myself and those I'm close to
INSIGHT. . . to sense what's needed by a child that can tell me their needs
ORDER. . . so there is at least a basic plan each day
NURTURANCE . . . giving it and getting it
HUMOR . . . so I don't forget to laugh when they do something funny
UNRELENTING JOY . . . so I can feel it, teach it, and give it
MILDNESS . . . for those times when the kids are rivaling siblings
OPTIMISM . . . so I can see things from a brighter point of view
READINESS . . . for the unexpected
About Me
- Timothy Ethan
- I am the Momma of 8 children. Seven here on earth and 1 precious little Angel in Heaven. My children range in age from 2 months to 25 years. My 6 year old was born with a laundry list of complex medical conditions. He has Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), a rare brain malformation, which resulted from a mutation of the PAX-6 gene, bilateral anophthalmia, which means that he was born without any eyes, so he is totally blind. At the age of 2 1/2 months old he had to have a tracheostomy to help aid in his breathing. He is hearing impaired, with normal hearing in his left ear and has profound deafness in his right. At 3 1/2 years he had surgery to have a Mic-Key button placed in his stomach (feeding Tube), which is mainly used to give him his medications. He also has insulin dependant diabetes and wears an insulin pump, which gives him a continuous dose of insulin. Even with his many dis"abilities," including being globally developmentally delayed, he has accomplished more than anyone would have ever believed that he could. Join us in our journey living with a Dis"Abled" child....