Twice this week, there were messages on the CHARGE listserv about bad information. The most recent was that a hearing specialist told a mother of a 13 month old girl that most people with CHARGE never talk and that they don't progress cognitively beyond the infant stage. As the parent of a child with CHARGE, I was so offended; I can only imagine what individuals with CHARGE think about comments like this. Those of you who know me can imagine my response to this: I was outraged!!! I gave the mom a lengthy response but I'm just so offended when "professionals" give out information like this to parents when, in fact, they really haven't done a modicum of research on the topic. I asked this parent to ask the hearing specialist where she got that information; I'd love to see the reaction on that.
This just really underscores the need for more public awareness about and more accurate information out there about CHARGE syndrome so no parent has to hear ridiculous prognoses like this. In that vein, I will post these 2 tests that Kennedy has taken in Health on the male reproductive system and on puberty changes between males & females. The first shows how she had to learn to accurately identify all parts of the male reproductive system; the second is deciphering which puberty changes occur in both females and males. She had to read and do these independently. I challenge most men to accurately label their own reproductive system and Kennedy worked very hard to study and did great, scoring A+ on both. Secondly, I will leave a link to our 2nd Annual Charge It for CHARGE campaign, which helps support the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation and its mandate to help families, assist research, and provide (correct) information to professionals about CHARGE. If you would consider making a donation to our family donation page, it would be greatly appreciated.
*Note: You can click on either of these photos to enlarge them.
Male Reproductive System Test (she also knows what each part does; that test is next Friday):
Puberty Changes: Male & Female (read and identify which occur in both):
Click here for our 'Charge It for CHARGE' Team Donation Page - Thank you for your consideration of this worthy cause.
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4 comments:
That is so Awesome! She is such an inspiration to our family!
Kim
p.s. I am 100% behind you in what you said as far as bad info.... I got to see once again this year at the Charge retreat for Texas Chargers a 27 yr old that is now a senior at Texas Tech College! He was our star Charger this year and stood up in front of everyone and talked about himself. It was amazing. These children can never be under estimated!!
A great post on so many levels, Lisa.
First, huge congratulations to Kennedy! Another stellar achievement to motivate and inspire all of our children... regardless of whether they have CHARGE or not! Middle school can be such a difficult time... for anyone... and Kennedy is a shining example of how to make that transition successfully!
As for the statements made by the medical professional... ugh. Can I just hop on that soapbox with you? I get so frustrated with the ignorance that is out there... irritated that we, as parents, are responsible for educating the medical professionals in so many areas. More than anything, it's maddening that they spout off "statistics" without providing any support or concrete information.
The statement by that professional wasn't grounded in any data and yet, somehow, this happens all the time.
As we know, there is a huge range in CHARGE Syndrome... so many variables to differently affect each individual. Never once have I looked at Gracie and believed in any (ignorant, unsupported or even well-intended) statistic we've been given. I chose, the day she was born, to end statements about the things she wasn't/isn't doing with the word "yet." It has been my mantra and I stand by it today. It's empowering for me and, thus, empowering for Gracie. I encourage any new parent to do the same...
How dare any professional (or anyone else, for that matter) put limitations on our children and rob them of hope and potential? Like you are with Kennedy, I am blown away (on a different level, of course) with what Gracie accomplishes.
To prevent this from continuing to happen, it's imperative that we all find ways to help support the foundation and its efforts. Imperative.
(Sorry... this should have been an email to you or a post on my blog. I didn't keep it short!)
I agree with you 100% Kristi - I always said, "Kennedy will do it in her time, her way, when she is ready..." It might not always look the same as everyone else but she DOES it!
Kennedy we always knew what a smart lady you are !!
As for the post regarding professionals... I make sure I send pictures updates and progress to all our professionals to make sure they are constantly reminded of all she can do... because early on it was rather bleak and comments to consider switching off ventilation horrified us !! Nobody knows the strengths of these children like we do, every day is challenging but so defiant to succeed !!
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