Our family has been through a lot the past few weeks. The realization, first on my own, then with a dr. confirming our worst fears, that our baby has a life long illness is crushing. I literally felt like somebody had punched me in the stomach. I cried for a week, read everything I could, then turned on my Tiger Mommy mode wanting to do everything I can to help my child. Autism is a word that I have always feared, but I'm not wasting my time on why she has it, just what can we do as a family to help her.
Abby's sisters, Grace and Emma, love her and love to play with games with her. Their play therapy is invaluable. Our family in on a mission, to help Abby doing everything we can to help her develop. Right now, we are waiting on Tricare to approve all the therapies and get her started. The common amount of therapy is 30-40 hrs a week for Speech, Occupational, and ABA therapy. We are also going GF/CF as a family and starting the girls on nutritional supplements to "feed the brain." I'm hoping to use this blog as a progress on how she is doing, and to chronicle the big girls lives too! They are super excited to go to school on base!
Throughout it all, I am so thankful for the goodness of the Lord. He led us to the Dr. in Wilmington, who studies at John Hopkins, is a developmental pediatrician, and believes in alternative therapies. Our prayer is that God leads us to the correct therapists she needs, and she really responds to therapy! We love all our children no matter what, but want to see them reach their full potential, whatever that might be.
