Little Miss "Tia"!

I am excited to update on my Little Miss "Tia"

(as her baby sister has affectionately named her - a.k.a Taleigha).

I know that my last post in September wasn't a very positive one to leave off on.  After posting that one, I realized that I really needed to pick myself up off the ground a bit.  I had found myself struggling again with the acceptance of our situation, but I also know that it is normal to do so.  This journey that I am on... being a parent to a beautiful and amazing, and also special needs daughter is not easy, but it's worth it!!

IT'S WORTH IT!  Every single minute!

Just like a million times before, Taleigha has been able to completely stop me in my tracks because of things that she does!  She has become much more vocal over the past several months, which I believe is a combination of starting her first school year and having classroom time, as well as Taelyn talking a blue streak!!!  If she can't find the way to vocally communicate her needs, she has been able to "lead" Mommy and Daddy to what it is that she wants or needs.  She's starting to figure out new ways of communicating every day, and for that I am so grateful.  Her determination and strength hasn't wavered one bit since she came into my life, and I look up to her in so many ways because of it.  We still struggle daily because of the communication barriers yet, but to see the tiniest of improvement goes a long way in keeping hope.  We did also get Taleigha an app for her iPad to use for communication, however, we are still in the process of getting it all set up (customized), and we know that there is going to be a learning component for her that will take a lot of time and patience for us all.

I have been fighting for a few different things for Taleigha lately.  One of which is Sensory centered Occupational Therapy.  We FINALLY were approved and able to get in for an evaluation with someone about a month ago, and as I suspected for so long now, the therapist agreed that Taleigha is struggling with some sort of sensory issue.  She started and had her first session today.  I am anxious to see what outcome we will have with these sessions, if any.  I was very pleased with the appointment today, and thought that Taleigha did quite well!  The other thing I have been really fighting for is to have an eval with a Pediatric Neurologist.  I guess I don't really even know why I feel so strongly about having Taleigha see this specialist, but I just feel like maybe it could be of some help in some way.  It's worth a shot.  Regardless, whatever the outcome of that, I would feel better knowing that someone did do an evaluation, to make sure that nothing is going on that we don't already know about.

I have been doing a lot of research on different resources that may be available to us in our county.  I was able to get connected with a service coordinator that should be coming out to our home in the very near future to also help us get more information on available resources and guide us through.  I actually did find a lot of things that I didn't even know existed that were available, for example: HealthCheck Other Services (HCOS), Family Support Program and Children's Long Term Support Waivers, Diaper Supply Assistance, etc.  I was able to find a lot of this information through Family Voices of Wisconsin!  Anyway - I'm pretty excited that I was able to find this info!

We are currently in the process of trying to get Taleigha a walker.  For the most part, Taleigha is doing a great job walking, but she does struggle with stability and longer distances really seem to take a toll on her.  Her physical therapist, along with Clint and I, feel that giving her a walker would only benefit her based on those struggles.  She has been using a walker in school, however does not use it all of the time, as she does not need it within the classroom, but does use it when walking the hall or in the gym etc.  She would not need to use it full time at home either.  We wouldn't have her use it within the house, but feel it would really help with shopping trips, doctor appointments, or even just going for family walks, and other things of that nature.  We are just waiting on the therapist and doctor letters of justification before we can proceed further with this.

We have a lot of different things in motion for Tia right now, and am very hopeful for the near future!  Can't wait to update further.  For right now though... This Mommy needs to get some sleep!

Update on my beautiful "Tae Tae" tomorrow! ;)