Dreams

Every parent has hopes and dreams for their child(ren)...

• Make lots of friends
• Graduate high school
• Be one of the smartest kids in the class
• Balance their finances effectively
• Graduate college
• Become a doctor
• Get married
• Go to prom
• Play a musical instrument
• Play a high school sport
• Become president
• Find the cure for cancer
• Impact others
• Be a star athlete
• Travel the world
• Move out of your house
• Have children
• Be happy

What if those dreams were taken from you in an instant?  On February 20, 2012 David and I felt just that. We sat at Greenwood Genetics Center, and listened the dreams we had for our daughter be taken away from us.  We were by no means angry with anyone at Greenwood Genetics Center...these were just our feelings that day, and they were simply doing their job.  As delicately and as compassionately as they possibly could, they told us the statistics.  "She will probably make friends but it will be difficult, she will probably need resource in school, she will probably not graduate high school, she may never get married, she will probably never have children of her own, she will most likely never be able to live independently." Those were the words we heard, and they cut us to our very core.  I was sad for Ellie, for me, for David, for her grandparents, and for our new life.  I was angry.  Hadn't we tried to do everything "right" and been good people?  Didn't that count for something?  I was scared.  How would we navigate all this?  How would we manage?  Could we be happy?

Well, I have learned quite a few things since that day.  The most important thing I know, is that our dreams for Ellie most certainly DID NOT die that day.  Even though we heard some of the hardest things a parent could ever hear, might, happen to their child; they are just that, possibilities...not certainties.  We choose to believe that God is using Ellie for His purpose, and His purpose is perfect.  As her parents, it is our job to capitalize on her strengths, push her appropriately, love her constantly, and pray God's will for her life fervently.  

It has been said that, "time heals all wounds," or does it?  Time certainly passes, and makes hard times a little more bearable.  The sadness and anger of what I felt that day is still there, and resurfaces periodically.  The fact is, it will always be there and will never leave me.  So, I don't think time heals all wounds, but what you do with the time does (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-journey-ahead/200804/time-heals-all-wounds-or-does-it).  

Since that day, David and I have vowed that Ellie would have THE best life possible.  We will make sure she receives the best care medically, be challenged educationally, receive therapy as long as she needs it, raise awareness and funds for PWS research any chance we get, connect with other families for support, and help her reach her BEST potential every.single.day.

So, thinking about my dreams for her...I know she will impact others, I know she will be happy, and I know she will feel loved.  As far as everything else...David and I can't wait to go on that journey together with her.