Seventeen

Well, another year has passed since Colleen was born. I still can't believe that she would be 17 years old today! Seems like just yesterday we were saying hello and goodbye. Over this past year I have continued to "meet" more families with children with various forms of dwarfism, and have "met" two other families whose children have passed away from TD. I want to thank all of those POLP for sharing their beautiful children with me. When I look at your kids, I am reminded that I, too, am a POLP and I only hope that if Colleen had stayed with us that I could be as good a mom as you all are! I thank you for your support and realizing that I will always be a POLP.

Mid Winter Update

So much has happened over the past couple of months since I've posted. My dads brother passed away in late January and just two weeks later, my Uncle Jim passed away. Uncle Jim is married to my dads sister, Mary. They are like grandparents to us, since my dads parents passed away years ago. I was there when my uncle died with dignity and grace. Now, I worry about my aunt everyday. They had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May by renewing their wedding vows. She is lost and sad.

In other news, the boys are keeping us on the go. Sam has been practicing his voice everyday. He recently went to our district Solo and Ensemble competition. He sang with a select group of 20 men from his high school and performed two solo pieces as well. He received a number one ranking and will move on to the state competition in April. He has a part in the school play and will start lacrosse in a couple of weeks.

Jacob is in the middle school musical again this year. He's also advancing so well on the guitar. He is self taught and his talent amazes me. He gets it from my youngest brother who is also self taught. He will also start lacrosse soon.

Thomas is loving school. Today is grandparents day and he is so excited! He is learning lots of new words (some of them quite naughty thanks to his older "brudders" as he calls them).

I think that pretty much sums up what's been going on around here. I am so ready for spring and sunshine!

The Salman Family

The Salman Family of Iraq were recently featured on "Little People, Big World" with Matt Roloff traveling to Iraq to help two of the children get the surgeries that they desperately needed. I couldn't stop thinking about this family and the show finally did a follow up where the Salman's were brought to the United States. Ali, Bara'a and Saja all have a rare type of dwarfism.

All three of these kids have to be the sweetest, kindest children I have ever seen. They are so gracious and loving. I immediately fell in love with them and had to contact Captain Hayes who helped arrange for the family to come to the US.

I sent an email to Captain Hayes and he called me within a half hour to follow up. I had told him about Colleen and our involvement with the LPA and what a special group of people they are! (He knows this as he has a daughter who is an LP) I asked him what we could do to help the family. Saja is having surgery this Friday and is in desperate need of a wheelchair. The wheelchair she needs is hydraulic....making it easier for her to do things on her own. It can go low enough for her to slide out (she can't walk) and high enough for her to reach into a freezer. This wheelchair costs $26,000! It is made in England, and it's my understanding that there have only been about four of these models made.

I would love it if we could all chip in and help this neccessity become a reality. Your donation is tax deductable. Please inform your friends and family. If everyone gave just $10 (or more if you want!) we could help out so much! I plan to put this information on my Facebook page as well. Remember my friends, it takes a village!

Thank you all!

To make a tax deductable donation and read about the Salman family, click here!

Janie Beth

Just wanted to give you all some information on a story I have been following. Michelle delivered Janie Beth on Wednesday. Janie had Thanataphoric Dysplasia (the same type that Colleen had) and sadly has passed away. Please keep this family in your prayers as they have many difficult days ahead.

What A Month!

Well, so much has happened since I last posted on here. School is in full force. The boys are so busy and we are really looking forward to having a few days off over Thanksgiving break. Sam has a great part in the musical "Schoolhouse Rock Live". Remember that show? My favorite song is "I'm Just A Bill". The performances are this weekend and we're really looking forward to it.

My surgery went great last month. We had a few hiccups the week before...Thomas and my mom both had H1N1. Jeff had been laid off and of course got called back to work the day of my surgery. So, my dad watched Thomas and my friend Renee came up from Kalamazoo to take me to the hospital. The surgery was a success and I came home the next day. No pain involved, just a little soreness. I felt back to normal by the end of the week.

My grandpa passed away kind of unexpectedly on November 12. He was 84 and in the two weeks before his death he had kidney failure and was diagnosed with stage four lukemia. Luckily he was diagnosed while in the hospital and was never uncomfortable or in any pain. My mom was there with him the entire time and was able to say goodbye which was very comforting. Thomas, Jacob and I drove down to Kentucky for the funeral which was hard, but a very lovely service. My parents are still there taking care of business and putting his house on the market and should return home on Friday. It's been a heck of a few weeks!

We are looking forward to our family being together for Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of my family, my health and my wonderful friends. I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday!

Dwarfism Awareness Month

October is Dwarfism Awareness Month. In honor of this, I'd like to share some things that have happened over the past couple of years.

Back when Colleen was born, we didn't even own a computer. When researching dwarfism, I used books and asked questions to doctors. I never really understood anything about Thanataphoric Dysplasia until gettting a computer and researching thru various sites. I think because I didn't have these resources, I put the whole tragic ordeal of Colleen's birth and death in the back of my mind. I became pregnant with Sam just three months after Colleen's birth. Although I was stressed thru the whole pregnancy with worry that the same thing would happen again, I didn't deal with losing her. After Sam, I had Jacob less than two years later. Having two toddlers doesn't give you time to think about anything except sleep!

A couple of years ago I really began digging into the condition that caused Colleen's death. And in doing so, I became associated with the most wonderful group of people that I have ever had the priviledge of meeting (well, and not meeting, in person!). The LPA community has been so helpful and comforting to me and my family. We have enjoyed getting to know those who are little people as well as parents of little people.

So, during this month I send a big shout out to those that have touched our lives so deeply. We love all of our LPA peeps and appreciate all that you have done for us as we continue to heal from our wound of losing Colleen. Although it's been almost 17 years, it still seems like yesterday. Knowing all of you has made the journey a bit easier to deal with.

Back in the Saddle

School has started! Today is the first day for the big boys. In Michigan, it's the law that we can't start until after Labor Day. This has been the longest summer on record! Both boys were excited to get back in to the swing of things. Sam has so many school related activities, he's busy everyday. Jacob is starting an after school weight lifting class in a couple weeks. We're heading to Florida in about 4 weeks and he's convinced he'll have a "beach body" by then!

Thomas is loving preschool. He is so proud everytime I pick him up and he hands me his art project for the day. He's making friends and learning structure and how to share!

As for me, with the school year comes meetings, meetings and more meetings. I'm on the Foundation For Haslett Schools executive board and we meet once a month as well as plan fundraisers throughout the year. I'm also on the Sex Education Advisory Board and a member of the Choir Boosters. It keeps me on the go!

I've decided to have a full hysterectomy on October 19th. I've had issues for many years and after trying countless "treatments", I''ve decided to go through with the surgery. And, because my grandmother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 65, I have opted to have everything removed. The good thing about the surgery is, that it's a fairly new, robotic assisted surgery and I will get to come home the next day. The recovery is much quicker than the old school hysterectomy.

We're going to Panama City Beach, Florida on October 3rd for a week. Yep, I'm pulling the kids out of school! Looking forward to some relaxing downtime with friends and family.

So, that's what we're up to now. This week Sam will be auditioning for the musical at school...I have no idea what the show will be, but keep your fingers crossed he gets a part.( Actually, I know he'll get a part, but I don't want him to be too confident!)

I can't wait to read about all of your back to school activities!