Quite a Week!

Today ends the 2nd Annual Cri Du Chat Awareness Week, and quite a week it has been!!!  

Ever since Taleigha was born, I have kept fairly "quiet" about her diagnosis of Cri Du Chat Syndrome.  I didn't post a whole lot on facebook, only shared information with certain people, and really didn't get very involved with too many other families with children with CDC (through support groups).  I guess you could say that I have kept a bit of a wall up when it came to Taleigha being special needs.  Facebook has been the biggest place that I have kept pretty "tight lipped" about it though.  I am not close friends with every single person that I have on facebook... some are old friends from school, some are new acquaintances, some are people that I really haven't talked to in a very long time, and so the fact that Taleigha had Cri Du Chat Syndrome was never really "put out there" for all to see.  It was mainly because I really wanted people to see Taleigha for who she really is, having no other preconceived  judgements based on a diagnosis or 'label'.  I wanted people to look at Taleigha - really look at her - and see her beauty.  It has also been because of my own need to really handle the news that my daughter's life may not be exactly what Clint and I had 'dreamed' it would be.  It's a very emotionally trying experience, this life as a parent of a special needs child, and it's a process to digest such information when you receive it.  It's a process that is hard to explain, and difficult for others to imagine... but each person handles things differently, and for me... I needed these years of 'privacy' to really get a hold of my new reality.  My life was changed, more than by just having a child... but by having a "diagnosis" as well.  I'm okay with that though.  I really am!  Because I know that Taleigha is a special little soul, and I know that she was hand picked to be in my life.  She was given to me for a reason and I know that I was meant to be her Mommy.  She has made me a better person.  She has taught me things in life... Showed me what was really truly important.  I am grateful for her.  I know I've said it a million times, and I will probably say it a million times more... It's not always easy, but the challenges and struggles that we go through... they cannot come close to the good, amazing, and wonderful things.  

My 'privacy' in the matter has never, ever been because I was not proud of my daughter, or ashamed, embarrassed, etc.  Please, let that be clear!!!  I have been in love with that girl since the day I found out I was expecting... and I have been proud of her every single day of her life.  

>>There would never be shame in something so amazing<<

It has been a changing time for me lately, though, as I have now openly shared the fact that Taleigha does have Cri Du Chat Syndrome.  I feel free to share that now, because I feel that in the [almost] four years that Taleigha has been here, people have had more than enough opportunity to really see who she is - even if it has only been from a distance.  I also know that I, myself, am in a place in my life that I feel comfortable letting people in a little more. 

I have to say how touched I am, especially over the course of this last week, by all of the outpouring support, kind words, love, compassion, and very pure acceptance that I has been given.  I am also so very grateful for all of my new "family" that has come into my life...

- my CDC family -

(as a side note: I very much welcome questions or discussions about Cri Du Chat Syndrome... or about Taleigha!  So if anyone wants to talk, please feel free to do so!) 

 

~ I AM GIVING TALEIGHA A VOICE ~ 

and I am raising awareness each and every day by sharing our story, and I am PROUD to do it!

i . am . PROUD . of . my . beautiful .Taleigha Karyce