In June of 2009 right after father’s day I found out that I was pregnant with my first and only child, which brought so much joy to my life. At first I was nervous about the news, but then the more I thought about it the more excited and happier I got. I finally realized that I was going to be a mother. I had scheduled my first ultrasound to see how my baby was growing and on that same day I found out that I was going to have a little boy on February 6, 2010. At that same ultrasound we discovered that my son’s left foot was clubbed. As a first time mom I went home and did as much research as possible on club foot.
I was then referred to see a perinatal specialist whom did a number of ultrasounds and even performed an amniocentesis to test the chromosomes to ensure there weren’t any other complications. Even with the bad news of the clubfoot and having to go to double the amount of appointments along with more tests to be performed I was still just as happy. My son has changed my life in so many ways. Every morning I wake up and hear him calling for me and that is what keeps me motivated on a daily basis. The day he was born he weighed 4 pounds 14 ounces and was 19 inches long.
I remember when I saw him for the first time and he was just a few hours old after the doctors had examined him to make sure he was going to be okay, due to finding a pocket of fluid around his heart when they did the last ultrasound right before I went into labor. In the past two and a half years we have had many doctor’s appointments between the normal check up’s, cardiology appointments to ensure the pocket of fluid has disappeared, and most importantly to see his pediatric orthopedic doctor to ensure that his foot his correcting properly.
In January of 2011 he had his first surgery and the procedure that was performed was to cut his heal cord which helps with the flexibility of his foot and position it in the proper place. He had his first cast on when he was just a few weeks old since casting is the first process of correcting clubfoot. I wouldn’t change being a mom for anything. My son is my motivation and the reason I decided to further my education so that I can continue to provide for him and give him the best life possible now and in the future.
THESIS: Being a mom to a child with disabilities hasn’t always been easy, but the motivation of raising him has prompted me to the most patient and loving mother I can be. I was going to be a mother! Those words struck me with such force I could hardly breathe. June 2009, the day after father’s day, I found out I was pregnant. It was a huge change in my life that caused a bit of apprehension. It took me quite a few days to gather my thoughts and feelings so that I could fully grasp how different everything was going to be, but in the end, I found myself truly excited about it.
However, things were about to change dramatically. During my first ultra sound I was finally going to see how my baby was progressing, but like most things in life this too was unpredictable, the ultrasound technician saw something unusual when viewing his feet. It is normal to be filled with anticipation on the first sight of your baby, but while I was thrilled to know I was having a boy that feeling of joy was slightly damped when I found out my child was going to have some complications, his left foot was clubbed. This is where the journey began.
Being a mom to a child with disabilities hasn’t always been easy, but the motivation of raising him has prompted me to be the most patient and loving mother I can be. Right away I knew that I had to learn as much as I could about this diagnosis if I was going to take care of my child. Any information that I could gather from either the internet or the doctors I was going to absorb. Referrals to a perinatal specialist were sent out, tests were done one being an amniocentesis to test the chromosomes, and a countless number of ultrasounds were performed to ensure my son would not have any other substantial issues.
It was a bit overwhelming but even with all the extra precautions I was still so very happy. In nine months I would have the most precious gift. Life on the other hand, decided it wasn’t through with me yet and decided to one up me once again. Of course I was aware of my son’s club foot, and I was prepared for that, but right before Donte arrived on February 6, 2010 the doctor informed me that he had a pocket of fluid around his heart and cysts on his brain.
I couldn’t believe that my child was going through all this and he wasn’t even a few hours old yet and he had so much adversity to overcome. I remember thinking to myself “how am I going to get through all of this? ” But once he was born and I was holding him in my arms all I could think was he’s perfect. He weighed 4 Lbs. 14 oz. and was 19 inches of beautiful baby boy that I was now responsible for. It was amazing. I knew then I would have to change myself for someone more important.
So when his first surgery was performed in January 2011 to cut his heal cord and correct the flexibility and position of his foot. As I waited for him to come out I was nervous as ever, all I wanted was to wrap my waiting arms around him. Every casting and shoe fitting that Donte has had to go through I have been there with him, telling him everything will be okay. I feel no greater desire in this world than to make sure that my son is well taken care of. I am his mother and I love him more than life itself. I do everything possible to give him everything I can, no matter what the obstacle is that is put in my path.