July is Cleft Awareness Month and as always I try to share a little information about my Cleft Cutie, Emma! I realized that I haven’t posted an update in quite some time so what better month to share it than this month!
This year has been pretty good in terms of dealing with surgeries!
Our last surgery was in April of this month! As I explained here…finding peace during the prepping of surgery is extremely hard sometimes. This time was no different…
We were extremely nervous because this procedure was at another hospital because she had to have dental work done. So while I am extremely comfortable with her doctors at our “home” hospital I had to get used to a new set of procedures and their way of doing things…Aside from the new hospital we were nervous because of our son who had just passed away in December (so we were dealing with a new set of emotions…aside from our regular emotions)…but Emma did EXTREMELY WELL!!! She had a new set of tubes placed and dental work…
This has been a pretty big year for Emma…she started preschool in March a few weeks after her 3rd birthday and she hasn’t looked back! Honestly…I know I am going to miss her when school starts but I am so ready for it to start back up!!! HA!
She goes to an elementary school, so she is on the elementary school schedule! Mommy’s Big Girl!!! She receives Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. And we have seen tremendous changes since she started. She does have an IEP and prior to her having one I heard LOTS of negative connotation behind it but honestly its been amazing at keeping the teachers and I on the same page and working towards the same goal for Emma!!! So a suggestion to Moms if they suggest an IEP for your child, dont be afraid…be the advocate for your child, make suggestions and do what’s best for your child!!!
This summer we didn’t do camp but we continued our therapy and school work at home…and we will continue the additional therapy during the school year as well. We have seen great changes in Emma since school ended. So Darrick and I are VERY pleased with her new therapists and new location that we attend for therapy!
So next up is a full year of preschool…
Happy Cleft Awareness Month!!!!
