Have you ever had those moments?
When you are sitting under the tree, when you are sipping your morning coffee or you are driving your car and suddenly it rains? Suddenly there's this unforeseen force that altered the way your day was going.
T...
"The worst distance between two people is misunderstanding"
*** October 2017, Thiago's first birthday
IRENE's POV:
It is with immeasurable pleasure that we get to celebrate another milestone in the family. Andy just turned six last July and as much as I wanted to hold on to the days when I can feed him in my arms, it's just not possible. He is growing up so fast!
But today, Thiago is turning one. He's the first child of Luis and Xandra and though his birth came with an unexpected turn of events, I wouldn't have it any other way. It only made the family stronger. Xandra has shown strength I never saw in her before while Luis, just like his father... stood strong and remained steadfast in his love for his wife and his son.
Today is not only a celebration of Thiago's birthday, but of his small wins as well. Every occupational therapy he's had, every physical therapy he's finished, for every laughter and all of those tears, we are.. in this lifetime, forever grateful.
Raising a child with special needs can take so much toll on the parents. We are trying to give Xandra and Luis all possible support we could to help them ease a bit of their burden. But regardless, it is with deep conviction that I believe that every child is a blessing. Thiago may be different in certain ways than other kids but it does not make him any less of an angel. For in our hearts and minds, he is perfect. In all ways- for always.
I also began associating myself in supporting causes for Filipino children whose lives are on the same path as my grandchild. When I first joined, I thought that it would somehow made an impact in helping them, but I was wrong. It was the other way around. They helped me.
Nobody talks about the grief a family has to go through when you came across a member of yours who will go through this certain path. It's like a conversation no one dares to start and speak about. Because it can be offensive, it is hard and painful. And nothing can ever prepare you. You just try to learn how to adjust to the needs of your child.
It's breaking my heart as I know that it broke Greggy's as well, seeing Andy run and play and dance and sing and do all those activities while Thiago is on his therapy. Those trips that Alfie and Joy were able to bring Andy, while Luis and Xandra went on a search for new medicines and approach to help Thiago.
But just like any other bumps and detour we have had in the past, my children got each other's back. We are fortunate enough to have Joy as Thiago's on-call doctor. She's not a pediatrician but she's of great help whenever Xandra would go into panic for every epileptic episode of Thiago. Alfie would take over Luis' work load to allow him some days off to help Xandra attend to Thiago. And Andy, as our ray of sunshine, is understanding enough to play with his cousin even if he never got any verbal response from him.
Which is why we decided to throw a party for Thiago bigger than we originally planned. It's also our way of thanking the people who has been helping us since day one.
Some doctors said that his days are numbered, some said he can make it. But whatever the future may be? We, as a family can only make each day count. Nobody said it is going to be easy. But there is nothing that I will not do, no matter how easy or hard that may be, if for my family.
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