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Victoria was born July 25, 1997. A couple of days after she was born the doctor came in to tell me Tori had stopped breathing and had been transferred to the NICU. Victoria was diagnosed with a very rare genetic disorder called Aicardi Syndrome. She had uncontrollable seizures, fused spine, agenesis of the corpus colosum, holes in her retina, severe developmental delay, and extra ribs. We took Victoria home after 10 days in the hospital. We struggled with failure to thrive for about six months. I worked very hard to teach Tori how to suck and eat. She gained weight. Victoria received Early Intervention Services in Georgia. Babies Can't Wait was a wonderful program that sent teachers and therapists to the house to work with our special daughter. I spent two years learning many new therapies to do with Victoria. I would never trade the time I had with my daughter, even if I knew that I would loose her on June 30, 1999. Victoria taught me more than any college class ever could. I know why it is important to teach children to be as independent as possible. Sometimes that independence may just be learning to eat or hold up your head. Every skill you teach a child is one less that someone else has to do for them. I am a special education teacher. I was before I had Victoria, but I'm much better now. I had two wonderful years with Victoria as my teacher. |
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