Facing Facts about Kait

[barbaranoela]

hi all----

U know---we all knew Kait has brain damage but really didnt face the true fact about the Xtension of it all--
Spoke with Lynn---and the Community College contacted LYNN again----
Kait has failed all subjects and speaking very kindly with Lynn--said *they cannot keep her in school--tis useless-

Kait can simply put down *withdrawing* which would indicate --in a manner---that the subjects she picked are not to her liking---

U can sit and talk away with Kait---but as Lynn said to me---*mom---she talks like a child--she has severe brain damage*
My heart sank--cus I knew what Lynn was saying----Yes, Kait rattles on about *nothing* but to Kait it is SOMETHING----and when U are with Kait---U fall into her *world* and that makes it seem so perfect~~~~

L and I are so thankful that Austin wants to take care of Kait-----yet --as U all understand---here are 2 people that dance to a different drummer----and *their dance* can work out perfectly for them---for we all dance to a different drummer~~~~ dont we

So, Kait will be finishing her last semester and I trust --in her small thoughts--she will take it as she has done with everything that life flung at her~~~she is such a *giving person* and her expectations of *herself* kept her going~~~~~~~

U all know WHOM I blame for making her brain more scrambled than it was!!!!!

So dear friends---I shall be back later--have to *sit* myself quietly--and be thankful that Kait is still with us--
and that we have the *joy* of even talking to a Happy go lucky child--

Luve Barbara--

[starfire]

I know you have had a hard time with this as any parent/grandparent/family member would. I am glad though that you can see the sweetness and joy in Kait. I hope the latest "fix" for her pain will do the trick and she will be able to live a happy and relatively pain free life. My heart goes out to all of you. Let Kait find what happiness she can and she may well do better than the rest of us at that.

Love, Shirley

[angy]

oh barbara!! that is a lovely thing to say and feel ...

U can sit and talk away with Kait---but as Lynn said to me---*mom---she talks like a child--she has severe brain damage*
My heart sank--cus I knew what Lynn was saying----Yes, Kait rattles on about *nothing* but to Kait it is SOMETHING----and when U are with Kait---U fall into her *world* and that makes it seem so perfect~~~~

it doesnt matter what she says to anyone else ...being with her and giving her your love and attention are what counts...

god bless u barbara and kait too......

[Carol Arnett]

Hello Barbara,

I was happy to see you home and safe then read your post about Kait.
I can only imagine how you feel but you have said so many times that Kait is a beautiful person.

You will just have to accept her for who she is and how she is and love her with all your heart as I know you have done all her life.

This news, I know must be devistating for you, but she is still your beautiful Kait. Just love her and appreciate the good things about her.
Keeping you and Kait in my prayers always. Love, Carol

[jodibelle352]

Hello Barbara:

After reading your post about Kait I wanted so desperately to reach through the computer screen and give you a big hug. But most of all I wanted to let you know that "everything" will be alright and very soon your tears will change because everytime you see your Sweet and Loving Kait she will bring back the smile you've always had for her for years.

I have someone for you to meet.




Barbara this is April Jodi. She was my first born and on June 19th she would be 38 years old. When April was born I went from 19 to 30 really really fast. I still remember my Dr. coming into my room and saying "Kitten, there's a problem with the baby." My reply of course was "Okay, fix it." His next words brought my entire world to a stop! "Your little girl is mongoloid, she's retarded." Please excuse me for seeming blunt with my words but 38 years ago even doctors used words like "mongoloid idiot" and "retarded". Today however I embrace the fact that things have changed and I can say to the world my baby girl is a Down's Syndrome Baby.

You sound soooooo much like my father when April was born. He loved her so very much and she loved him also. My mother gave her so much love as well. If they could have changed the way things were they would have given anything to make it happen. Just like you Barb, your tears and the pain you feel is because you have accepted already that Kait will have challenges but you and your love will be right there to see her through whatever comes.

Children like Kait and April are so very special. They give unconditional love each every day of their lives. They are precious gems passed on to special people who God chose to be their parents, family and grandparents. He placed Kait in your life for a reason just like he put April Jodi in mine for a reason. He gave us the BEST he had because he knew that you and I would learn to accept these precious gems and hold them close forever.

I know you have already been through so many trials with Kait and that she's had so many medical situations to fight through. By your love she's come through each and everything that's been thrown her way.

Please know Barb that you are not alone with your tears as I'm shedding a few more right along with you. I want you to know that Kait is a very special girl with a very loving Grandmother and that bond will truly help both of you through anything.

April Jodi is now my very own Cherub Angel and she was and always will be in my heart even though she's no longer with me here. There are so many people in my life that her life touched in so many ways and Kait will be touching many lives by being here with you and your family.

I don't know what the future holds and I can't say there won't be other challenges. One thing I am certain of is that you will NEVER have to be alone because there are other mothers and grandmothers who are waiting to help you through whatever comes your way.

Love and God Bless:
Jodi

[Lucy]

Barbara,

I can't really add anything to what Jodi has just beautifully written, but to say that I think about you and Kait much more frequently than I'm able to post these days. I wanted you to know that, especially now. I will continue to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. You are a wonderful grandmother, and Kait is a wonderful granddaughter from all I've learned of her through these years here on the boards. Wish you and your family the very best.

Love, Luce

[RUBYREDDOG]

Barbara, Like Jodi I know all to well your pain. My first daughter, Tiffany, was born with severe mental handicaps. Being our first child, we were so elated when she was born. I cried tears of joy driving home from the hospital. After several weeks it became obvious that something wes not right with her development. The doctors told us that she was severely handicapped and would not live more that a few years. Last week she would have been 35 years old. We lost her in 2002.

Unfortunately, she never crawled, walked, talked or even recognized us as her parents. But she had a very positive and profound impact on our lives. She was very happy most of the time and just loved to be tickled. The hardest part was when she cried, she had no way of telling us what was wrong with her.

Jodi wrote a beautiful post on how special these children are. There is not much I can add to her response. It means so much to the caregiver of a handicapped child to just be able to get away for a weekend and recharge for awhile and have some fun. You have the opportunity to give that to your daughter.

It still hurts when I think about everything that my daughter missed out on in her life. Normal children are so inthuisastic about life. Seing their excitement on Christmas day, getting a hug when coming home from work and spending time together as a family were all treasures for me. My wife and I and my two other children all benefited from the blessing of having Tiffany in our lives. And I'm sure you feel the same way about Kait.

When ever one door closes, another one is opened.

Hotrod