To the parent with a new diagnosis..

Hi! Your child has been diagnosed with some crazy scary diagnosis. Whether it be ventriculomgaly, cerebral palsy, or any diagnosis for that matter…it’s scary. I get it. I feel your pain. I understand what you’re going through. I was there. Being a special needs parent sounds so scary, but I promise you it isn’t. I know what you’re going to do and you may have already started. You’re going to google so many symptoms and things that your child is doing. You’re going to read hundreds of blogs with kids like yours. I know the feeling of being in shock. I’m going to tell you something that I wished someone would’ve told me. It’s going to be okay. I know it doesn’t seem that way, but I promise. You have started a whole new journey with your child. It’s going to be amazing. I promise.

So many emotions..

I remember the day we were diagnosed with Maddalena’s brain bleed. I cried so hard. I could barely breathe. Why her? Why did she have to fight so hard? Then came the diagnosis of severe ventriculomegaly. Another new diagnosis that was so scary and unknown. I felt so lost. I often blamed my self for everything. I don’t know why I did, but I did. I went through so many emotions. Sadness. Guilt. Fear. Anger. Isolation. Desperation. Grief. I felt it all. When I was told there was a possibility that she could develop severe cerebral palsy, my heart sank. I didn’t want anymore pain. I didn’t want anymore diagnosis. I wanted it all to just go away.

As time went on, the feelings of being lost got better. As she hit milestones I started to forget the diagnosis’s. I thought, “She’s going to be okay.” When we missed milestones, yeah, I freaked out, but I still said to myself, “God is in control. We’re going to be okay.” Whatever your faith is, trust in it.

So, you’re a special needs parent now too. You’re part of a group you never thought you’d be apart of and you feel so alone. I was there too, not too long ago actually. Just remember, you’re not alone. We’re all in this together.

My Advice to the Parent of a Newly Diagnosed Child:

• Grieve. Feel every feeling.

• Take as much time as you need to process it.

• Join Facebook support groups.

• Stop googling your diagnosis.

• Find other parents like you.

• Get ready to fight for your child.