Happy Birthday Cody!

It's this dude's birthday today. This guy trusts like a child, loves unconditionally, and is doing his part to make saints out of sinners. He has proved doctors, psychologists  and educators wrong, beat the odds more times than I care to remember, and has touched the heart of each person that is lucky enough to know him, while at the same time, tested every fiber of their patience. Gosh, I love him! 

Happy 34th Birthday Cody!

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. World-wide, MS affects about 2.5 million people (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/). No two cases are exactly alike, and symptoms vary considerably from one individual to another.

Don, my husband, has Multiple Sclerosis. I do not blog about it often, probably because it isn't as "in my face" as Cody's autism is. HOWEVER, Don recently went in for more tests and, I am happy to say that his neurologist gave him a good report.

Last summer I wrote a post about attending a Multiple Sclerosis event with my husband where Jordan Sigalet, a retired Canadian Ice Hockey Goaltender, was the guest speaker. Jordan was born in 1981, the same year as Cody.

To show support of MS awareness, I am reposting Jordan's clip for those of you who may have missed it last year.

Two Frogs

I love, love, love this! It's short and sweet and worth the read...

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.


The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

Heaven's Very Special Child

Someone gave this poem to me years ago when Cody was a born. I had forgotten about it until I read it on Dear Abby today. The poem was written by Edna Massimilla, the widow of a Pastor, when their daughter was born with Downs Syndrome. It is very moving.

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD

A meeting was held quite far from Earth

It was time again for another birth.

Said the Angels to the Lord above –

“This special child will need much love.

“Her progress may be very slow

“Accomplishment she may not show.

“And she'll require extra care

“From the folks she meets down there.

“She may not run or laugh or play

“Her thoughts may seem quite far away

“So many times she will be labeled

“'different,' 'helpless' and disabled.

“So, let's be careful where she's sent.

“We want her life to be content.

“Please, Lord, find the parents who

“Will do a special job for you.

“They will not realize right away

“The leading role they are asked to play.

“But with this child sent from above

“Comes stronger faith, and richer love.

“And soon they'll know the privilege given

“In caring for their gift from heaven.

“Their precious charge, so meek and mild

“Is heaven's very special child.”