Since K's birth, going to KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) has been a frequent affair for me. Sometimes, if she has two appointments in a day, I get to spend time with her while waiting. Shopping at my favourite places like Mothercare and having lunch - just the two of us - make the waiting time seemingly short.
I also get to meet different people at KKH. As K is very friendly, her contagious smile usually earns smiles from people around her. Passer-bys will stop and play with her, or tell me how cute she is. Most of these people I will probably never meet again in my life, but there are the occasional few whom I feel more connected with. And this afternoon, I got to know a couple whom I'm still thinking about now. They have a 9 week old baby girl - Rachel - who has Down Syndrome too. R's daddy asked if K has DS, and we started talking. I could sense that they are worried about R's development and asked about K's progress and the intervention program she has. At one point - after I asked the couple if they are coping well with newborn R - the wife started crying. They shared that R is going for a surgery this Friday to correct a heart defect. I can imagine how much pain and anxiety the parents are feeling these few days before the surgery. It reminded me of how I felt when K had to insert the NG tube. No parent would want to see his own child being put through such an experience. It is too painful...
I am thankful that I have grown stronger emotionally since the day K was born. I will still feel sad and worried for K especially in terms of her physical health. But I am less fearful of the uncertain. I have experienced God's special care for K since she was born, and I'm sure He will always be with us.
I am thankful that K is growing well, meeting her developmental milestones slowly, but surely. She is a testimony of God's blessings and I hope that through her, many parents will be encouraged.
I am thankful for the love that friends have showered on my hubbs and I when we learnt about K's condition. And for new-found friends from Down Syndrome Association who share this special journey with us, sharing good advice and emotional support. I always feel a special connection whenever I meet parents who have children with DS. A simple nod or smile, and we just "click" emotionally. Hopefully, through the short exchanges with the various people we have met, I have given them the support they need.
Here's a video showing a day in K's life. This was a project done by my god-sister-in-law and her polytechnic friends (and they got an A+ for this project!!). I like how the team portrays the love our family has for K. Unfortunately, daddy was working during the filming so you don't see him in the video.
(Note: in the transcript, the sentence "... she has no muscle tone..." should be "... she has low muscle tone...")
I also get to meet different people at KKH. As K is very friendly, her contagious smile usually earns smiles from people around her. Passer-bys will stop and play with her, or tell me how cute she is. Most of these people I will probably never meet again in my life, but there are the occasional few whom I feel more connected with. And this afternoon, I got to know a couple whom I'm still thinking about now. They have a 9 week old baby girl - Rachel - who has Down Syndrome too. R's daddy asked if K has DS, and we started talking. I could sense that they are worried about R's development and asked about K's progress and the intervention program she has. At one point - after I asked the couple if they are coping well with newborn R - the wife started crying. They shared that R is going for a surgery this Friday to correct a heart defect. I can imagine how much pain and anxiety the parents are feeling these few days before the surgery. It reminded me of how I felt when K had to insert the NG tube. No parent would want to see his own child being put through such an experience. It is too painful...
I am thankful that I have grown stronger emotionally since the day K was born. I will still feel sad and worried for K especially in terms of her physical health. But I am less fearful of the uncertain. I have experienced God's special care for K since she was born, and I'm sure He will always be with us.
I am thankful that K is growing well, meeting her developmental milestones slowly, but surely. She is a testimony of God's blessings and I hope that through her, many parents will be encouraged.
I am thankful for the love that friends have showered on my hubbs and I when we learnt about K's condition. And for new-found friends from Down Syndrome Association who share this special journey with us, sharing good advice and emotional support. I always feel a special connection whenever I meet parents who have children with DS. A simple nod or smile, and we just "click" emotionally. Hopefully, through the short exchanges with the various people we have met, I have given them the support they need.
Here's a video showing a day in K's life. This was a project done by my god-sister-in-law and her polytechnic friends (and they got an A+ for this project!!). I like how the team portrays the love our family has for K. Unfortunately, daddy was working during the filming so you don't see him in the video.
Linking up with Make a Difference Mondays
