Wednesday, May 30, 2007

A second chance

My husband will start a new job soon, he is super excited, he loves the company culture, philosophies, as well as the challenges the new responsibilities will bring. His current company is downsizing due to corporate merger, but I was never really too worried even when over 50% of his colleagues were laid off, because I believe as one door closes, another door always opens. Jake has taught me to adapt myself in life situations, and not be so fixated on making plans. I mean after all, the life we have now is not at all part of the plan we had after learning that we were about to become parents.

Almost 4 years ago, my husband was equally excited when he received the acceptance letter from one of the top MBA schools in the United States. But the letter came in the mail within the same week that we received confirmation from the pediatric neurologist that Jake had brain abnormalities. That week, all of our dreams and hopes for the future were completely crushed and we were scared and lost. But we knew there was no other choice to make but to do everything we can to help Jake. So we decided that I would quit my job to take care of Jake full time, and that my husband will not attend the MBA program and continue to work full time to support all of us, because more than ever, we needed the money and the medical coverage for Jake’s medical treatments and therapies.

Looking back, I don’t regret for a moment the decisions that we made that week to give up our own plans so that Jake can have a chance of a brighter future. I would do that for the rest of my life for Jake because I am his mother. But I am very happy that my husband has a second opportunity to pursue his dreams and look, I will reap the benefit as well, I am getting a new car very soon…hopefully! :-)


Monday, May 14, 2007

wanna come to a birthday party?

Jake’s birthday is coming up in a month; he will be 5 years old. I have never planned a birthday party for him in the past, since birthdays were always bitter sweet.

When he was one, I was still so naive about his condition, and had no idea what was ahead of us; When he was two, I was much more aware of the severity of his developmental delay, and I was frantic in searching for every therapy out there, while still holding on to the hope that one day, he will be “normal”; When he was three, I went through a period of depression, and some nights I saw no light at the end of the tunnel; When he was four, I began to realize that life has to go on in spite of Jake’s disabilities, but I still didn’t know how. Then I started this blog because I wanted to remind myself out loud, in words where everyone can read, that I want to and must celebrate my son for who he is, disabilities and all.

In a month Jake will be 5, I feel like I have come a long way. I can now walk into a park full of children running and playing without falling apart; I can now tell the psychologist who evaluated Jake that I don’t care if he labels Jake mentally retarded, because a label does not define who Jake is, not yesterday, not today, and certainly not tomorrow.

So this year, I am planning a birthday party for Jake, and if you would like to join the party, just let me know!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Jake got his first certificate

Today, for the first time ever, Jake received a “Huge Success” certificate from his special education teacher at school. The Certificate reads “Presented to Jake Li, for good Listening. Jake is having a great day! He is repeating more words + following many 1 step directions. He was placed on the toilet at 10:15 and at 10:20 he was successful!”

As if that wasn’t enough to put me in a good mood after a long week of work, Jake’s PT told me during therapy at school this morning, Jake walked 10 steps on his own, and everyone at the therapy room who saw it were cheering for him!

OK, I officially announce I need more days like today! :-)

Great job, Jake!