When Abigail was about two years old, she was not yet walking, so the Doctors had her fitted with some braces that came up her legs to just below her knees. When they laced her up and turned her loose, she immediately sat down and began to cry.
For those that don't know, Abigail was born with myelomeningocele, commonly referred to as Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a defect in the neural tube, or spinal column, that is present at birth. Basically the defect cause the nerves to grow improperly and it leads to poor or improper functionality and a lack of feeling in anything below the defect. She was diagnosed about two days before she was born and the Doctors indicated that, along with other challenges she may face, she might never walk, or always be reliant on a walker or leg braces.
Soon after we took her home, she began to walk on her own...without the leg braces. It almost seemed that she was saying that she would do it if she had to, but she wasn't gonna wear those darn things.
Since she was born, she has endured four (3 of them in one 5 week period) brain surgeries, one back surgery and a kidney surgery. I know this is almost minor compared to the stories I hear of children with injuries or disabilities that endure dozens of surgeries, but everything like this that a child faces is difficult for a parent. And she still faces many challenges.
Abigail is a Hebrew name that means Father's joy. As her Father, I am definitely grateful that she has been in my life. I have also discovered with her trials that joy does not always mean I am happy with the circumstances, but have that I have found....well....joy in the midst of them.
No comments:
Post a Comment