Positive

When things get tough, I try very [very] hard to see the glass as half-full. It's the only way to survive. I was not like this of course when Lara's physical therapist dropped the bombshell that she thought Lara had CP. I would not wish for my worst enemy to experience that.

And, yet, here I am, many months later, and we are great. I had to really push and force myself to get through the muck of that to see some daylight at the end of the tunnel. But now we are walking in broad daylight and we have moved on. This is what life has given me, and I have chosen to live it to the fullest, regardless.


I say all of this because I am sad sometimes when I read other blogs written by mothers who also have children with a more mild form of spastic diplegia. It's a constant struggle for them, and small things can set off the water works all over again. They always think about it, or are constantly reminded of it. I do understand this. But I have chosen to not live in grief. For that matter, what is there for me to grieve over?



As Lara gets older, it becomes more and more apparent what her disabilities are. That's how it always works. When your children are 6 months old and you are holding them all the time, you can't see so well what they cannot do. But when there is an expectation that they walk and run around, it becomes obvious.

I definitely do not know what the future will bring. But I consider it a worthwhile challenge to face it with a positive attitude, a mentality of strength and will. And also, I want to enjoy my life and teach Lara how to do so also. So far, she's not needing any guidance in this area!

So I do not grieve when I decide my daughter needs braces. I rejoice that we have something that can help her stand better! I NEVER dwell on how Lara cannot walk yet. I rejoice that she can cruise along the furniture with just one hand now! I do not ask those questions of why?, but focus on how I can make it a little better. I never shy away from telling people that Lara has cerebral palsy; if you ever hear me tell someone for the first time, you would think I was talking about a mild cold!


But some people just do not see the glass as half-full and I do feel very sorry for them. I feel sorry when people focus on the limits and the abnormality. What can you accomplish by focusing on them? My pride and joy in my little one totally encompasses any negative feelings. Also, I am very blessed to have a husband who is a very glass-half-full sort of person and he keeps me thinking on what is right and good. I see our situation as a boatful of blessings, nothing less.