| Children: |
I have 5 wonderful children. Haley is 18 and a freshman at Auburn, Tylyn is 17 and is a varsity cheerleader, More…Kenzie is 14 and on the Eaglettes varsity dance team, Tanner is 8 and better at Xbox than most adults, and Gatlin is 7 and has autism.
My children are truly my best accomplishments. We have endured more than any family should, but we are survivors. Haley was electrocuted in 1999, she died but was revived by Micheal Myers, Seneca police. This was the first visit to Intensive care. 6 months later Kenzie was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes from a bad chicken pox vaccine. Then 6 months later, the doctor punctured Tanner's sac during amino and I carried him until they took him early. Another 3 weeks in the nic-u. Then 3 months later, Tylyn was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes because she had the same vaccine that Kenzie did. So far I am 4 for 4 in intensive care in 2 years. Then Gatlin was born. A 18 mile an hour car wreck and a defective car seat, he was launched into the console. He had a skull fracture and brain hemm. at 2 weeks. Med flighted to intensive care again. He is now non -verbal, traumatically brain injured, syringomyelia (hole in the spine), and autistic. When I thought I had all I could take.............God tested me again. Tylyn had a tumor this summer at 16. I laid in the chapel begging God to take me and not her for 6 hours of surgery. She had parital hysterectomy and appendix removed. She astonished me with her bravery. Then 3 weeks later, just to make sure I was I was still stressed, Tanner pushed Gatlin off the bed. Right arm with a double compound fracture and emergency surygery. Yes, he had a cast and hit me about 1000 times with it. Two months later, we had more surgery to remove pins. He is now left handed. Go figure.
As for their accomplishments:
Haley ran track, cross country, and played basketball in high school. She graduated with honors and an IT degree and computer certifications in 7 areas. She was in SADD, Spirit, Key, Robotics, and won the district web design. She ran a triathalon and won her age division in Orlando. She drives a shocking blue tocamoa truck. Should I say more. She is my backbone. Her accomplishments are amazing considering her accident. She suffers from short term memory loss, mood swings, attention deficient, and stunned growth. She did not grow for 3 years and has finallly grown 3 inches in the last year.
Tylyn is an honor student and a varsity cheerleader for 3 years. She is one of the best tumblers on the squad with her standing tucks, fulls, lay outs, and back handsprings. She is in the IT program and has been selected as a top student to attend a photo shop seminar in Kansas City. She is very shy and drives a lime green convertible bug. Fits her perfect. She has been diabetic since 8, and says it is ok, because it is the way God made her.
Kenzie is an honor student and in the IT program as well. She too was selected to attend the photo shop seminar. She is on the varsity dance team as a freshman. They won National Champions in Atlanta this weekend. She is the tallest at 5'7. She is a hippie in the wrong time. She mixes her clothes and the outfit would look stupid on anyone else and she looks great. She loves everyone and is very outgoing. She hates being diabetic. As I was learning how to torture my 6 year old child with needles, Kenzie showed me her bravery and her " try again Mom". She has forever been called my Lion Spider. She is brave and never gives up like the itsy bitsy spider. Just to try to help in this stressful time, I rapped for her. The nurses thought it was great and I have rapped it several times for other newly diagnosed diabetes. Rufus is a diabetic bear to teach kids about shots. First verse just to amuse you...
I am Rufus, Rufus the diabetic bear
I get shots where there is no hair
My pancreas is angry, my pancreas is sick
That's why I have to get the finger sticks.
Tanner is my main man. He plays baseball short stop and is the kicker on the football team. He can kick it 20 yards at 7. He can beat most adults on Halo and Call of Duty on live, thanks to Haley. He argues like a 15 year old, again thanks to Haley. He is very smart and really looks after Gatlin.
Gatlin, My angel. He has taught me things about myself that I would never know if God had not blessed me with a special needs child. I know what TRUE love is, a real kiss of affection, What a real hug can heal, what a real accomplishment is, what patience is all about. I learned that going without sleep for 7 years does not kill you, but just makes you real tired. I learned that you can live off of cheetos and you do not die. I learn that I can make 3 pieces of cinnamon toast every day and I dont mind. I learn that you can watch the same movie 100 times and still enjoy it and when you are tired of it, slide it under the couch so no one can play it again because it is scratched. I learned you can change diapers for seven years and eventually you don't mind anymore. I leaned it is easier to have him touching me so I can sleep. I learned that everyone should get up at 2:30 -4:00 am every night even on sleeping meds. I learned that every power ranger should be armed with a pen or pencil or it is not correct. I learned that he can play t-ball with my help. He is on the challenger team. He hits, we run and everyone scores. Wheelchairs, walkers, cerebral palsy, oxygen tanks, downs, and autism, ....everyone scores and everyone cheers and it is the best game of T-ball you have ever watched. Uniform and hats included.
I learned that I am much, much stonger than I ever knew and I can handle almost anything.
Our family saying:
You cannot stop the waves,
But you can learn to surf.
We may not do it well, but we hang ten every day.
I do not know what is in the future for me and my children, but I know that as a family we will be just fine. Our challenges have only made us closer. |
