Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Reflecting On Our Journey So Far

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Did you know there are 1 million people in the United States who have cerebral palsy? I guess that means Faith truly is one in a million!  Faith was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was six months old. Prior to that, she had been given the diagnosis of Periventricular Leukomalacia  (PVL). During her premature birth, there was a lack of oxygen to her brain, which resulted in damage to the white matter, or inner part of her brain.  I will never forget receiving that news. Faith's Dad and I were told that nobody knew what the long-term effects of PVL would look like for her. All I could do was stare at my tiny daughter lying in her isolette, hooked up to all kinds of tubes and lines, and choose to believe she would be okay.  Faith in the NICU a few days after she was born. After over 70 days in the NICU, we finally took her home to Watford City. There, she would receive regular visits from an Early Intervention team who would assess her and ensure that she met al...
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Faith's Dilemma

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Faith has a little dilemma. She has two birthday parties tomorrow, both of them around the same time for two little girls in her class. One is going to be like a princess party where the girls go to a local jewelry store, get their nails done, and buy pieces of jewelry. The other party is at the bowling alley. Faith would have fun at either of them. It's really too bad she can't make it to both parties.

Faith with some friends earlier in the year at a Halloween party

We decided to go with the friend who sent her invitation first, who also happens to be one of Faith's best friends and came to Faith's birthday party. The other little girl loves Faith too, though, and is so sweet to her. I know Faith loves her back.

How do I feel about this little dilemma? I feel blessed and overjoyed that both little girls think of Faith as their friend and that they want to include her in the celebrations of their lives. 

At the beginning of the school year, me and a friend prayed so hard for our kids to find good friendships at school. These prayers are being answered and I am so grateful.

I'm truly thankful that Faith's disability doesn't cause her to feel left out and that her friends at school see her first before her disability. It is something I know I will always be concerned about, and I pray that as Faith gets older, she will continue to have good friends in her life. Even it means having more of these types of little dilemmas!

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