One Year
This Friday, May 9 2008, will be one year since Kaleb's Brutal Attack (yes I said attack). Childcare providers are TRAINED to KNOW what SBS is and for one to still do it to a child, it is an ATTACK. So needless to say this week will be a hard one for all of my family.
The last year has been such a giant learning experience for me and Josh. I have the upmost respect for any parent of a special needs child. Before any onf this happened I guess you could say that I was blind to the world of special needs. I never realized how much effort and love the parents have to give to thier children. Don't get me wrong the same goes to \parents of "normal" children. But to have watched Kaleb go through so much this past year my love for him cannot be explained in words. I am so proud of him. For a child that wasn't supposed to be anything but a vegetable he has come SO FAR.
I have been worried about this week. I have wondered for the last month how I will feel on May 9 and the days leading up to it. When I catch myself sad and getting ready to break down in tears, I remember how lucky we are that he is still here. We are lucky that he survived! But a BIG BIG part of him was taken away on May 9. Parts of him that he may not ever regain. All by the hands of one very careless and evil person. This has to stop. NO CHILD SHOULD EVER HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT KALEB DID!
This photo was taken on May 6 2007. Three days prior to him being shaken. Please do all that you can to make sure that another child will not become a victim of abuse.
I have also learned how many caring people are out there. I never thought that Kaleb's story, one out of a couple thousands, would reach so many people... Then to see how many of you really cared for our Kaleb. It was and still is so heart warming. Thank you, all of you for all of you continued prayers and support. I could never stop saying Thank you.
For all of you who are wondering. No the trial hasn't started. The defense keeps postponing things and I have no idea when it will start. Hopefully soon.
God has a plan for all of us. That is for sure. I don't quite understand why this happened to Kaleb but I trust that God is holding his hand every step of the way. I trust that when I am feeling emotionally stretched and tired, that he will energize me and continue to give me faith. This has been the hardest year of my life. Our entire world turned upside down and stopped. But God has managed to always shined bright enough to still see him in everything. Kaleb is our angel from God and I will be forever grateful to him for giving him to us.
Now for some updates.
Kaleb is eating baby food once a day. Not a whole lot but about 6-8 spoonfuls. This is such an accomplishment
. A lot of kids who lose thier ability to swallow never are able to regain it. He continues to amaze us everyday! He has also started to stand in a stander. That is the device in the new pictures that I posted. He HATES IT! But it is good to see him show emotion towards something he doesn't like. He cries as soon as we put him in it. But it is getting better. I play with him the entire time he is standing. He is getting ready to start Aquatic Therapy so I will be posting something about that soon.
I am huge and tired. I am about 25 and a half weeks pregnant. This baby is so much more active than Kaleb was. My uterus has become a punching bag for him...Lol! He really starts kicking when I am holding Kaleb or when Kaleb is talking in his own language. My due date has been moved up to Aug. 15 and we are very excited!
Thank you again, all of you, for the last year of prayers and support. Kaleb would not be where he is today, if it weren't for all of your prayers.
