close or will she have to undergo surgery? Amen, she didn’ t need it, and at two my baby girl was cleared from the diagnosis. From the time Amelia was three months old she had to wear an orthopedic helmet because her head was unevenly shaped. She wore this for a long year and a half. She hated it so much; I didn’ t even want to decorate it. We both were overjoyed to give it back at the end! Then Amelia had multiple pneumonia and respiratory infections. Because her immune system was not strong, she was more susceptible to all those viruses. She still is at a higher risk, but I hope her body will strengthen and things will get better.
My acquaintance with the Little Light House was as unexpected as with Down Syndrome. When one of the nurses in hospital told me my baby might have this diagnosis, I did not know a thing about it. You see, in my country people with disabilities are not around. They are invisible and not seen in public places. Consequently, I didn’ t even know these kids shared similar features due to a genetic disorder.“ It is curable, right?” asked my parents when I shared the news.“ I don’ t know”, I said hoping to find the answer soon. Unfortunately, there is nothing modern medicine can do now. Who knows, maybe in the future?
One day, close to my delivery date, my husband and I were driving past a new carwash which was doing a fundraiser to benefit the Little Light House. I remember asking a guy about this school and children with disabilities. Little did I know that in three and a half months I would enroll Amelia in this school, and she would be placed on the famous waiting list. Two years later, which I think was perfect timing for us, Amelia became a student at the best school for special children. Now you might ask,“ What was so good about it?” I would tell you with confidence everything, from the teachers and their assistants to the therapists and administration! I am sure the Little Light House played a significant role in Amelia’ s development. In four years she transformed from a tiny little girl who didn’ t talk or walk into a real person. There are many things I appreciate about my daughter’ s school: their prayers, support for a single mother trying to make ends meet in a foreign country, understanding of Amelia and her needs, and the list goes on. I really don’ t know where we would be on our journey if our path didn’ t see the little but very bright light house.
I would love Amelia to live a full life and try new things, especially things that she enjoys. She loves music, gymnastics and to be involved in activities that
“ I don’ t know where we would be on our journey if our path didn’ t see the the little but very bright light house.”
are beneficial for her development. All the classes she takes help her with balance, coordination, strengthening her muscles, building up her immune system, and she acquires social skills that will help her find a way in this life and become somebody. My prayer for Amelia is to become somebody and make a difference in this world! I have a feeling she will, don’ t you?
THE BEACON | 5