Thursday, February 10, 2011

One of the best things I've ever read



Our babysitter's daughter, a wonderful girl who's in high school, got an assignment to write an essay about someone who's beaten the odds. Guess who she wrote about? I was really touched. I know Max has overcome so much, but it's amazing to hear from a person who's known him all his life. 

This story is about a little boy by the name of Max. Max is now eight years old. However, even though he is only eight years old, I truly believe he has beaten the odds.

You see, when Max was born he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This affected many of his major bodily functions. All this required that Max get various forms of therapy such as occupational, physical and speech therapies. All the therapists worked dedicatedly with Max, and his parents and friends remained hopeful.

Through all the challenges in his various stages of development, we all watched Max slowly but triumphantly reach different milestones with the help of his dedicated therapists and a strong, optimistic group of family and friends. Though his therapy sessions at times required a lot of exertion on his part during his tender years, this little boy maintained his grace and pleasant personality, always smiling, jolly and just downright adoring. His pleasantness was so contagious one could never remain sullen around him.

Through the years, I've watched Max grow and improve in some areas that at one time some may have thought he would not. I always remained hopeful for him, especially because he is such a cutie with his trademark smile. Today I see Max walking without the aid of a walker, running, sitting without support and using his hands in a number of ways which really thrills me, especially when he strokes my cheeks and feeds himself.

When I look book at how he started out, in comparison to his achievements, to me Max has overcome many odds and has helped me to see that with the ideal support of parents, supportive family, dedicated therapist and loyal friends, my mom being the foremost among them going more than the extra mile in many ways, a person can triumph over some of life's most daunting challenges.

In Max I not only see a little boy, I also see a victor who will go on to overcome whatever challenges may lie ahead. He is a real trooper. 

27 comments:

  1. That is really great! You should be proud!

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  2. max will love this when he is older

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  3. Rockin awesome! You totally need to frame a copy on really nice paper!

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  4. That made me cry! So sweet :) :) Go Max!!

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  5. Really gorgeous to hear it from someone else and I can kinda relate as my eldest wrote about her sister with cp in an English exam yesterday - hope I get to read that as well x

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  6. this must have been so validating for you to read.

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  7. Wow, that's amazing. Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  8. WOW. Something you will save forever!

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  9. So awesome. So very, very awesome.

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  10. Crying while waiting for an oil change...sounds about right. That was beautiful and encouraging as I am at the beginning of a journey with my two year old recently diagnosed with PDD-NOS. This is a great reminder for me to never set limits on what my son might accomplish.

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  11. Wow, that essay was truly beautiful. And she's only in HS? Wow. That brought tears to my eyes. Love it! xoxo

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  12. What a wonderful essay! Very well written! I agree with Candace in that you really should print a copy out on some nice paper and frame it for Max's room. :)

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  13. Okay, I am in tears. That young girl is wise beyond her years. Sounds like in addition to the role of student, Max has also had a lot to teach others. What an inspiring essay.

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  14. Beautiful - brought tears to my eyes.

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  15. I am no teacher, but I'd give that essay an A+!

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  16. WOW! That is so awesome! What a great gift! You should be proud of Max, your family and yourself! He couldn't have done it without you.

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  17. What an incredible tribute. I esp love the last paragraph.

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  18. Such a wonderful essay! We always think about the effect our children have on our lives, and in their siblings, or babysitters, or other people directly involved in their care, but we never think about the impact they have on the more peripheral people. My 8 year old daughter and her friends sometimes play "stander and wheelchair" since those are 2 pieces of equipment here in our home...and it's amazing to me to see how easily they accept little Jackson for who he is, and delight in watching him do new things!! Thanks for sharing this!

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  19. That is really beautiful! Thanks for sharing this.

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  20. This brought tears to my eyes. No wonder Lynette is so good with Max - she is obviously a great mother who raised a great daughter. And everything she said about Max is right on the money.

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Thanks for sharing!