Reality Bites

Some people may wonder if life is truly as wonderful as I profess it to be with Tatiana? They can’t understand how things could be so good when I have a child with special needs, well it is as I say it is and I know that we have been truly blessed! I realize that it could be so much worse, so I am ever so grateful that the minor issues and inconveniences we may have to endure due to Tatiana having Ds are just that…minor. With that said I must be honest and share that recently we have been faced with some of the realities that having a child with Down syndrome may bring. A week before we left New Jersey, the kids had their yearly physicals so they would be ready for school once we arrived in Florida. On the way here our pediatrician called and informed me that Tati’s thyroid levels were abnormal. She needed to see an endocrinologist as soon as we got settled. I thought we had dodged the bullet…I was hoping we would have no thyroid issues which I know are common for children with Ds. After receiving several recommendations of endocrinologists, we set about scheduling an appointment. Luck was not on our side however God was because after being told that there were no available appointments for the rest of the year at the renowned children’s clinic that was recommended, miraculously a cancellation appeared with the doctor we wanted to see and get this…we could bring her in two days later! I know that God can do anything but I am still overwhelmed at times when He shows us His favor in such a way.

We take her in, she is examined, blood work repeated, xrays taken and finally the call with test results came in….she would have to take thyroid regulating medication and it would be for the rest of her life. Her thyroid is under active so this medicine will regulate that as well as a recommended daily multi vitamin (which she already was taking) and Coromega, a Omega3 supplement that assists with brain development. Hell if that girl’s brain develops anymore…I need to run and hide! And so it begins, I’ve always counted myself blessed that she had very few of the conditions that are associated with Ds, but I now have come to the realization that while Tatiana is high functioning, she has Down Syndrome and with that brings stuff that I may not like or want to deal with. It is the common denominator that binds her to her Ds family at large. While this was not a family I ever intended to be a part of….I wouldn’t give them up for anything in the world. You see my angel gave me intro into a world of some of the kindest, most loving and accepting people I have ever met. The Ds community is such a welcoming family and I am so glad to call them my own.

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