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Tag: hope

  • @sheisyou444 “Your motherhood will outlive you and live inside your children for…

    @sheisyou444 “Your motherhood will outlive you and live inside your children for…

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    @sheisyou444

    “Your motherhood will outlive you and live inside your children forever” 🌸☁️🤍 This quote hit me deeply and transformed the way I show up as a parent and as a person. It reminded me of the lasting impact my actions, words, and emotional state have on my children. 💖 Reflecting on this, I realized that to be the best parent I can be, I need to take care of my own emotional well-being. This journey began with understanding the importance of regulating my nervous system. When I’m calm and centered, I can create a safe, nurturing environment for my kids, allowing them to thrive. Regulating my nervous system means prioritizing self-care and adopting practices that help me stay grounded. Whether it’s through mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or simply taking a few moments for myself, these small actions have made a big difference. 🧘‍♀️ But it doesn’t stop there. I also recognized the need to work through my own emotional trauma. Carrying unresolved pain and stress not only affects me but can unintentionally influence my children. So, I’ve embarked on a healing journey—seeking therapy, practicing self-compassion, and forgiving myself for past mistakes. This quote served as a powerful reminder that my motherhood isn’t just about daily tasks or managing routines. It’s about the emotional legacy I leave behind. By healing myself, I’m breaking cycles of trauma and nurturing a foundation of love and resilience within my children. 🌱 Every day, I strive to show up with more patience, understanding, and love. I want my children to carry forward the best parts of me, and that starts with taking care of my own heart and mind ❤️ To all the parents out there, remember: your influence is profound and lasting. Take the time to heal yourself, for it’s the greatest gift you can give to your children and future generations Are you ready to regulate your nervous system and be part of a life-transforming academy, I have exciting news! I’ve joined an incredible program that offers lifetime access to over 50+ coaches specializing in different techniques. It’s been a game-changer for me, and I know it can be for you too. COMMENT ‘regulate’ to start your healing journey 🌸 #healingjourney #heal #hope #love #journey #mother #motherhood #parentsoftiktok #parentlife #fypシ゚viral #fyp #lovingyourself #findingyourself #spiritualtiktok #selflove #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #emotional #awakening

    ♬ you are my sunshine – christina perri

    @sheisyou444

    “Your motherhood will outlive you and live inside your children forever” 🌸☁️🤍 This quote hit me deeply and transformed the way I show up as a parent and as a person. It reminded me of the lasting impact my actions, words, and emotional state have on my children. 💖 Reflecting on this, I realized that to be the best parent I can be, I need to take care of my own emotional well-being. This journey began with understanding the importance of regulating my nervous system. When I’m calm and centered, I can create a safe, nurturing environment for my kids, allowing them to thrive. Regulating my nervous system means prioritizing self-care and adopting practices that help me stay grounded. Whether it’s through mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or simply taking a few moments for myself, these small actions have made a big difference. 🧘‍♀️ But it doesn’t stop there. I also recognized the need to work through my own emotional trauma. Carrying unresolved pain and stress not only affects me but can unintentionally influence my children. So, I’ve embarked on a healing journey—seeking therapy, practicing self-compassion, and forgiving myself for past mistakes. This quote served as a powerful reminder that my motherhood isn’t just about daily tasks or managing routines. It’s about the emotional legacy I leave behind. By healing myself, I’m breaking cycles of trauma and nurturing a foundation of love and resilience within my children. 🌱 Every day, I strive to show up with more patience, understanding, and love. I want my children to carry forward the best parts of me, and that starts with taking care of my own heart and mind ❤️ To all the parents out there, remember: your influence is profound and lasting. Take the time to heal yourself, for it’s the greatest gift you can give to your children and future generations Are you ready to regulate your nervous system and be part of a life-transforming academy, I have exciting news! I’ve joined an incredible program that offers lifetime access to over 50+ coaches specializing in different techniques. It’s been a game-changer for me, and I know it can be for you too. COMMENT ‘regulate’ to start your healing journey 🌸 #healingjourney #heal #hope #love #journey #mother #motherhood #parentsoftiktok #parentlife #fypシ゚viral #fyp #lovingyourself #findingyourself #spiritualtiktok #selflove #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #emotional #awakening

    ♬ you are my sunshine – christina perri


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    Tiktok by SheisYOU

  • The Day I Took An Overdose Was Just Like Any Other Day

    I hope this can help someone. 9 years ago today I woke up from a 6 day coma caused by me attempting to take my life. I was 15 years old and felt like there was no escape from my dark thoughts.

    The weight on my shoulders was to much for me to take. I felt like I couldn’t speak out, I had to man up and face my problems. I thought I had to put a smile on my face and carry on. I thought talking about my issues was a sign of weakness.

    The day I took an overdose was just like any other day. I had been out with my friends. Laughing joking like nothing was bothering me. I got home and went into my room and put music on like normal. I sat for around 30seconds contemplating everything that was bothering me. My mind was moving at a million miles an hour. Then I decided, that enough was enough and I wanted to take my life. I took a cocktail of pain relief and blood pressure reducing tablets. My dad came in and found me surrounded by empty tablet packets. I remember hearing him crying and trying to shake me awake but I couldn’t do anything about it. Then it all went silent. I woke up 6 days later in Addenbrooke’s hospital unaware of what had happened. I remember seeing my dads face looking so drained with a tear in his eyes because I woke up.

    I’m writing this for anyone who sees this to let them know it’s okay to speak up. It’s okay to feel down and lost. What’s not okay is not doing anything about it. 9 years ago I felt like I had nothing to live for. Now I have two beautiful children and wife that need me just as much as I need them. They are the reason I wake up every morning. I still have my low points and struggle with my mental health but I know I have a purpose to keep going.

    You may feel like your worthless and that the world would be a better place without you but your wrong. Seeing how much pain and distress I caused to my friends and family showed me that I wasn’t worthless and that the world may not be a better place for those who love and care for me. It’s not just man up and get on with it. It doesn’t make you a pussy for having feelings. Suicide can take the life of any man, woman, adult or child but men committing suicide has just hit a 2 decade high in the uk. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. Its okay to not be okay.

    If you need someone to talk to call the Samaritans on 116 123 or just speak to someone. You don’t have to face this alone.

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/dukscm

  • The Smile That Lights Up A Room

    My son Cameron was born with a rare genetic condition called Norrie Disease, which was discovered when he was around 8 weeks old. This means he was born completely blind and may later develop secondary symptoms.
    At the age of 3 he began to lose his hearing, and now at the age of 7, he has little remaining hearing in one ear.


    At the age of 5 he was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, he is non verbal has profound learning disabilities and fed through a feeding tube.
    Trying to navigate a world where your child is disabled has been scary. I worried for his future and happiness. But my son has taught me about the true beauty in the world, all the things we often take for granted.


    His smile lights up a whole room, and you can see the pure joy over his face from simple pleasures. Feeling the raindrops on his skin or the sunshine warming up his face. The wind blowing through his hair or the sensation of his buggy over a gravel path.
    He has been through so many challenges in his little life, yet still smiles through it all. He is brave, resilient, bubbly, bouncy and a real thrill seeker. He never lets his disability hold him back.
    He has changed me as a person, helping me to become better and I will always be his biggest advocate.


    We have fought for many things over the years to enable him the best quality of life, and even on my darkest days I look at him and remember why I have to keep going.
    If only more people saw the world through Cameron’s eyes, it really would be such a beautiful place.

    Follow his journey here https://www.facebook.com/CamSmile/

  • Alton Towers You’re A Disgrace

    Dear Alton Towers,

    On the 28th September 2020 I spent my Birthday at your theme park. On your website, it states Alton Towers wants to “help guests with additional needs have a fabulous and unforgettable experience”. It certainly was an “unforgettable” day for all the wrong reasons. I went with my girlfriend Lucy and my sister Hannah. Hannah has Cerebral Palsy and is in a wheelchair, but that is all. She is completely aware of her surroundings, understands everything you say and communicates non-verbally.

    Through this letter I will: (1) Briefly explaining the day we had and why we were so upset followed by (2) Our suggestions to you about how Alton Towers can do better so we can make this world a more inclusive place. Please note, I have done my research, can see it from your side and understand health and safety comes first. This is not a slanging match, but due to seeing how upset my sister was yesterday, I feel I have a duty to approach this subject in a positive and enlightening manner to ensure other people do not have the same experience.

    An explanation of the day we had and why we were so upset
    We have been to Alton Towers every year for many years, and have had NO issues. Hannah has previously rode on every ride she wanted, and has had the best experiences. Arriving at Alton Towers around 12 noon yesterday, we went straight to the customer services to gain our disability access band and head off to have fun! We got given a leaflet for our virtual queue but at no point was any explanation on what rides we could go on given to us, or Hannah’s disability questioned further.

    Starting off the day we headed to the Smiler. Seeing Hannah in her wheelchair (looking pretty obvious Hannah cannot walk unaided), we were shown to the disabled access entry point, then met by two more workers who showed us up in the lift. Once getting to the top of the lift we were greeted by a miserable woman. I noticed a sign saying to ride the rollercoaster, the individual must have to walk 25m unaided. Once I had noticed this, I told the woman Hannah wouldn’t be able to do so, in which she replied ‘yeah she can’t ride’. The lady then turned to her coworker and shouted across ‘SHE CAN’T WALK’, and shut the door behind us. My issues with this situation is that Hannah is a human – please speak to her directly. Do not embarrass her by shouting out her insecurities across the ride for a crowd of people to hear. We passed three lots of workers, and not one of them thought to explain the rules of the ride before we got up there and had to turn around.

    We shrugged this off as we understand the importance of health and safety. Off to Rita we went. Hannah loves Rita, this will cheer her up. We got straight onto Rita with no wait time which was a BONUS. The train before us got delayed due to someone pulling their phone out, meaning that the ride had to be restarted. This resulted in a 30 minute wait. During this time, no-one questioned Hannah’s level of disability or if she could she transfer unaided or if she could walk. Nothing. When the time came, two different workers watched me carry Hannah onto the ride. We both sat down and were strapped in by the workers. Ready to go – how exciting! Until… a worker came up to me (not Hannah) and asked if Hannah could walk. They continued to ask if Hannah could walk off the ride if it broke down. I calmly explained they had just seen me carry Hannah onto said ride, so obviously she could not. At this point, the crowd of people waiting for the next train and in the queue were looking at us. The girl said Hannah could not ride due to health and safety. I began to cry due to being so angry. They had embarrassed us by letting us get on to then be publicly removed from the ride. When I asked to speak to someone about this, I was consulted with the most rude, uninterested member of staff. I have never experienced such a horrendous level of customer service.

    Hannah, unconsolable at this point, was angry and fed up due to the ignorance of your staff. We headed off to the customer service centre to try and turn the day around. Alton Towers – your life saver of the day was the lovely and empathetic man we met next who explained health and safety considerations and the rides Hannah could go on. Why was this not done at the start of the day? The staff member then gave us a refund and also managed to stop us all from crying. At this point, we decided to draw a line, look at what we could go on and set off again.

    The Teacups… surely this had to go smoothly right? We enjoyed a lovely little ride, Hannah started to smile. When we asked if we could stay on for another go, we were told we had to have a two minute break between each ride so we had to get off to get back on. Considering the fact it took us over three minutes to get the wheelchair and get Hannah off, please explain to me, with NO queue (and I mean no queue) how we couldn’t stay put for a second ride? This is a perfect example of how an adaptation could be made to meet the needs of a person with a disability.

    We then went to Duel, as the leaflet specifically said this ride had disability access, and spent five minutes looking for the disabled access entry point. When we couldn’t find it, we asked a staff member. The reply was, ‘Oh yeah we used to have disabled access, but we don’t anymore’. At this point, all we could do was laugh from the shock. Due to the ridiculousness of it all, we decided to leave. Why did the leaflet say Duel was an accessible ride when there was no disabled access?

    After spending £40 per ticket, driving for one and a half hours, and wasting my Birthday, we went on two rides – The Runaway Train and the Teacups. If you know Hannah, she is the biggest adrenaline junkie and these rides are known as ‘children’s rides’. She isn’t wrong. Wheelchair users want the same experiences as everyone else.

    Our suggestions to Alton Towers about how to become more inclusive
    Ok so what is wrong with all of the above? There are two separate topics I want to address:

    (1) Ride accessibility
    Alton Towers claims, “We are committed to providing an enjoyable and safe visit for all of our guests” and “We reserve the right to refuse admission to certain rides should we feel there is a danger to an individual for whatever reason”. I accept all the above, however we are in 2020, and other parks have been able to make real adaptations for wheelchair users.

    Having been to Disney World, Universal Resorts, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and EVEN Alton Towers two years ago… how can this theme park claim to be inclusive for people with disabilities when a fully grown adult can only have fun on a teacup ride. As a family, we are also part of a charity which takes large groups of children with disabilities to Disney World every two years. Disney World claims, on their website, that for ALL rides the individual must be ambulatory OR assisted by members of their party, i.e. any ride is accessible as long as there is another party to support them. The same goes for Universal Studios and Blackpool. Why is this the case in the biggest theme parks in the world, but not one local to us? Furthermore, as an example, at Disney World there are 45 rides over 4 parks which are available to wheelchair users, with 6 even having transfer devices available.

    Please learn from the above, this is incredible. As a family, we have helped Hannah to achieve her dreams and not put any limits on her. We know this is not always possible, due to health and safety, but believe me we try. My advice to you Alton Towers, is if you wish to be as big and as inclusive as other theme parks, and provide amazing experiences for all people, please look at what you can do as an organisation to better yourselves. This includes larger changes, e.g. investment in transfer devices, plus smaller adaptations (e.g. as referred to above with the Teacup ride) to provide a better experience.

    (2) Employee attitude and awareness
    Taking out the fact most of your rides are unavailable to certain disabilities, the way we were treated and the lack of awareness and training with disabilities was the biggest issue here. It was disgraceful. Examples include not speaking directly to Hannah, going through numerous staff members and gateways without them checking our ability to use the rides, rudely shouting “SHE CAN’T WALK” in front of everyone, the lack of awareness of the disability restrictions, the not being able to make very small adjustments (i.e. at the Teacups), and causing a very distressing and embarrassing scene in front of a crowd at Rita and not opening the safety bars promptly to let us off the ride.

    This is the reason we are taking this further – Alton Towers needs to invest in clearer guidance for guests with disabilities, needs to train staff on this guidance, and then needs to provide behavioural training for staff to prevent these issues from occurring again. Please let Hannah and me to offer to personnally come and train your staff on how to speak to people with disabilities, expose your staff to awareness and build positivity around this. Not one person spoke to, or apologised to Hannah herself. She had to sit and listen to you argue with me around how her disability has effectively ruined our day. Not our fault, yours.

    Best wishes
    Becky, Hannah and Lucy.

    https://www.change.org/p/alton-towers-disability-awareness-training-for-public-facing-staff-members?recruiter=46994629&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=G%3ESearch%3ESAP%3EUK%3ENonBrand%3EExact

  • My Autism Story

    Hello, everyone.

    My name is Bronson Layton. I am 22 years old, I am a college student, and I have a story that I feel should be shared with the world.

    I come from a family that had never had a single record of ancestry with autism, not until the day I was born.

    When I was two years old, my parents were still getting used to the lifestyle of raising a kid, but what they had noticed was what they considered “out of the ordinary” behavior. Whatever toys I played with, I placed them in a straight line, I had moody fits when I felt antagonized, etc.

    Soon after my parents noticed these signs, they took me to a child psychiatrist, who eventually informed them that I have been diagnosed with a rare form of autism called Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), a disorder that delays the neurological growth of a child’s brain. The basic symptoms of this disorder include not being able to pick up social cues, possible isolation from interacting with friends or family, and the processing of speech, thinking, critical, and learning skills.

    My diagnosis was in 1999, a time when autism was still not commonly understood and was still being observed. My parents were initially shocked at this revelation, as well as from the subsequent news from an optometrist that I was going to grow up blind, but they (and I) were not prepared for how the following events positively changed our lives forever.

    As I got older, I began to evolve from keeping to myself to interacting with other kids once I entered public school in first grade. I noticed how the other kids were able to answer questions in class a lot faster than I could understand. Because of my processed thinking, it took me two minutes to come up with an answer to the best of my abilities. From that year on, I had received special accommodations for my coursework, such as sitting in front of the class to read the board better, and taking longer time on tests.

    Since fourth grade, I joined my school’s marching band, something I never had any interest in, but my mom convinced me that it was a great way to not only make friends, but to help gain more confidence in myself. I played the trumpet for two years, and after that, I played the baritone horn.

    At the same time during fourth grade, I discovered my talent for creative writing. I realized on the day I wrote my first Spider-Man story, my processed thinking and my imagination harbored a fundamental feature for my character: a hidden talent.

    As the years passed, and as I got older, I helped my fellow classmates and peer groups write essays, and I even shared what original pieces I wrote with my class occasionally, despite I was still unaware about my diagnosis.

    However, one day when I was fifteen years old, I came home and straightened up the house for my parents, and at some point, I found some papers scattered across the corner of one room near a filing cabinet. I picked them up and began reading because I was curious. The bottom of one of the papers said, “Autism diagnosis confirmed,” and I kept reading through the other papers to find a checklist of my habits and behavioral traits; it was from that fateful psychiatrist appointment thirteen years prior to my discovery. In that moment, I finally learned the real truth about myself.

    My parents kept it from me because they thought it would affect my self esteem to the point that I felt like a freak to others, but I wasn’t mad at them. I understood why they’d hide this from me because they really love me, and ever since then, I’ve accepted who I am, and I use my talents to help others who need a friend.

    Ever since my discovery, I led my class’s graduation as the valedictorian and class president, I’ve traveled to a prestigious college to earn a Master’s degree in English in order to become a professor, I’m about to retire from marching in my college band since I’ve done so much in twelve years, I manage my own YouTube channel called “Brons Over Brains” that encourages people on the spectrum to be themselves and to overcome challenges while following my life journey, I’ve been able to make all A’s so far in my college career, and now I am a part of this special group that will allow me to share my thoughts with kindred spirits!

    Everyone, including the parents of children with autism, you are all on the right path in life, no matter how different you think you are from other people. Being different is never a bad thing. We are all unique in our own way, because that’s the adventure of being human.

    Don’t worry, you’ve got this.

    If any of you need a friend and need advice on how to navigate through life with autism, I will be happy to share my experience as an autistic with you to show sympathy and compassion. Remember, you are never alone.

    My name is Bronson Layton, and I’m sharing my life story to all who want or need to hear it.

    -Bronson Layton

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/bronson.layton

  • To The Girl Who Hated My Pregnancy Announcement

    TO THE GIRL WHO HATED MY PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT…

    I get it. I know the feeling.

    That gut-wrenching, hard to breathe feeling.

    Because I was that girl. The girl that saw yet ANOTHER pregnancy announcement on my newsfeed and just rolled her eyes. The girl that felt sick to her stomach because it wasn’t me doing the announcing. The girl that was so angry that you didn’t even have to try… It was an “accident”. The girl that would cry behind closed doors because my heart was so broken that my body wouldn’t produce a miracle like yours would.

    I get it.

    I’m so sorry.

    I know seeing a pregnancy announcement yet again has made you an emotional hot mess.

    I’m so sorry.

    I know your heart is breaking into a million pieces all the while you are digging way down deep to express just an ounce of joy for the parents to be.

    I’m so sorry.

    I know the ugly jealous feeling all too well. The kind of feeling that makes you feel like you’re back in high school, and it isn’t a feeling you are proud of.

    I’m so sorry.

    This season of our lives has been hard. I’m talking all capital letter HARD. It’s been ugly, heartbreaking, and full of hope that ends in despair. And while I wouldn’t have particularly chosen this route for our life, I am learning to be thankful for what the Lord has taught me through my 17 months of infertility.

    He has taught me to have faith.

    And not the faith I thought that I had.. He has instilled in me the kind of faith that moves mountains… because let’s be real: conceiving is an absolutely M-I-R-A-C-L-E. In the small amount of research I have done, I have learned just what all has to happen for a baby to be formed. And wow… It’s such a one in a million miracle. Choosing to have faith in one of the darkest times of my life has allowed me to keep my eyes on Him rather than dwelling in my own sorrow. Because to have faith means to completely trust in… I choose everyday, multiple times a day, to believe that my God is for me and wants to grant me the desires of my heart. I have learned that I need His presence more than I need His answers and while I may not have all the answers, they have already been written by the most high God.

    He has taught me patience.

    Which is the worst. Waiting is no fun. But in my waiting, my eyes have been opened. They have seen the devastation and the depression that takes place while you wait. The unexplainable sadness that completely overwhelms every inch of your body. But in my waiting…. oh how I’ve seen just a glimpse of what Jesus sees in us. Waiting for us to draw closer to Him… waiting for us to choose what is right… waiting for us to just be still in His presence. While waiting may not be what you’d choose, it is necessary to realize the miracle that will unveil before your very eyes.

    He has taught me compassion.

    My heart has completely changed. I see you over there holding that sweet baby in the nursery longing and dreaming of the day you hold your own. I see you crying at baby dedication when the pastor talks about how big of a blessing children are. I see you cringe when you get asked once again when you’re going to have a baby and you just want to punch them in the face and cry all at the same time. I see you avoiding your pregnant friend like the plague because it’s just too hard… and there was a time when I did not even notice any of it. I have seen the other side, and I get it. There was a time when I wouldn’t have checked on a friend who had a miscarriage, or lost their baby due to unforeseen circumstances, or who can’t conceive no matter how hard they’ve tried, or the one whose adoption process has fallen through once again because I didn’t want to bring up any pain… But I’ve seen just how therapeutic it is to have someone who just cares. I mean truly cares. Someone that will take just a minute out of their day to check in with you and won’t accept “doing good” for an answer- because we all know that’s a lie. Someone that will drag you out of the house for some coffee, and depending on the day, will either sit there in the silence or will let you pour your heart out, and they won’t tell a soul. It is SO important to surround yourself with trustworthy people who get it because without it, it is a dark place that the Lord has not called you to walk alone.

    My time of infertility has been an emotional roller coaster. Times of hope and times of heartbreak. But through it all, the Lord has never left my side. He has been there even when I didn’t want to acknowledge Him. He has been there through my excitement and my daydreaming. And He has been there through my heartbreak and despair.

    But I know with all of my heart that even if the Lord didn’t bless us with a baby, my God is sovereign and He hears my cries… the pleading prayers, the constant tears, the angry outbursts, the jealous fits, and even the moments you feel like giving up. I’ve come to realize just how much He loves me in the process.

    So here is my prayer for those of you in your waiting period…

    I pray your hormone levels even out to what they are supposed to be in Jesus name. I pray for regular cycles. I pray for clear Fallopian tubes… no blockages of any kind. I am speaking healing over your ovaries. I pray for your uterine lining to be strengthened. I pray for any and all endometriosis to be non-existent. I pray your PCOS is healed or easily controlled. I pray against any cysts that may hinder your ability to get pregnant. I pray for your follicles to mature and your eggs to grow. I pray for you to ovulate at just the perfect time. I pray for the sex to be fun and for your love for your spouse to grow so deeply. I pray for his sperm to reach your mature and healthy eggs and for them to fertilize at just the right moment. I pray the healthy follicle embeds into your uterus and grows into the most perfect miracle(s)… I pray for your hearts to be softened and for you to not feel alone. Because you aren’t. I pray for your faith to deepen, your patience to increase, and for compassion to flood your veins. My prayer is for the Lord bless you and keep you… may His face shine upon you. May He show you favor and give you unexplainable peace.

    So, this is for the girl who got another negative pregnancy test this morning… to the girl who has no idea why this is so hard for her… to the girl whose heart is so bitter… to the girl who has lost a child due to miscarriage or heartbreaking circumstance… to the girl whose adoption process has failed once again… to the girl who has one child but can’t seem to get pregnant again… I love you. I am so sorry you are going through this, and I know it’s just not fair. But, I am so thankful for your hearts and for what the Lord is teaching you through one of the most difficult times of your life. This does not define you. Jesus has already done that. Don’t miss what could be the greatest journey of your life because it isn’t exactly what you pictured. Don’t let the bitterness and jealousy flood your veins distracting you from what the Lord wants to accomplish through your circumstances.

    Thank you Lord for showing me how to use what the enemy meant for destruction and showing me, through the pain, just how much you love me… and I pray that He shows you too. I am praying that when your miracle arrives, they are the beautiful ending scene to the story the Lord has written for you. Don’t miss it. This is a story worth telling.

    476 days of infertility.
    Thousands of dollars in medical bills.
    11 months of Clomid.
    Injection after injection.
    Prescription after prescription.
    Ultrasound after ultrasound.
    Hundreds of needle pricks.
    5 IUIs.
    Months of failed treatments.
    And 2 pink lines to remind me how faithful my God is in the midst of it all and that it was worth every single second.

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/amber.stone.79

  • Teacher Lies And Says She Loves Them All The Same

    Morning everybody……… Are we sitting comfortably?

    Then I’ll begin……………..

    As she stood in front of her infants class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

    Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

    It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X’s and then putting a big “F” at the top of his papers.

    At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child’s past records and she put Teddy’s off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

    Teddy’s first grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners… he is a joy to be around..”

    His second grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.”

    His third grade teacher wrote, “His mother’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn’t show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren’t taken.”

    Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.”

    By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy’s. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children’s laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, “Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.” After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

    On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her “teacher’s pets..”

    A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

    Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

    Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he’d stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

    Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor’s degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer…. The letter was signed, Dr Theodore F. Stoddard,

    The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

    Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

    They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson’s ear, “Thank you Mrs. Thompson for* believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.”

    Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, “Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn’t know how to teach until I met you.”

    (For you that don’t know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

    Warm someone’s heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone’s life today? tomorrow? Just “do it”.

    Random acts of kindness, I think they call it……..

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/steve.worrell.90226

     

  • Let’s Talk About The Struggles To Conceive

    So often we talk about the positive pregnancy test or how easy it was for someone to become pregnant.

    Very rarely do we talk about the struggle some women face while trying to conceive.

    We don’t talk about the struggle that comes along with seeing pregnancy announcements. And how hard it is to not let the jealousy or the anger at your body creep in.

    Or how happy you are for them, all while it takes an emotional toll on you.

    We don’t talk about how two days prior you were staring at a negative pregnancy test. Or the tears you cried on the bathroom floor that day, because yet once again it’s not your month.

    Even after months or years of praying and trying.

    You don’t admit that sometimes you check those pregnancy tests thirty minutes later. Sometimes even digging them out of the trashcan the next day.

    All in hopes that this one time it took a little while longer to register positive. Because the logic in that makes so much sense that you feel ridiculous afterward.

    Or how you start calculating when the baby would be due before taking a pregnancy test. And how you think of all the cute ways let your family know.

    How you have a cute Halloween announcement planned, but then your period shows up. But that’s okay, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner and you have ideas for that too.

    Only, Christmas passes and there’s still no pregnancy.

    Or the weight gain that happens even though you’re trying to lose weight. Because doctors tell you that you’ll have to lose a certain amount of weight to get pregnant.

    We don’t talk about the inner turmoil that arises when you’re asked when a baby is coming. And oh boy do people love to ask that question without thinking about the consequences it will have.

    Or, how it makes you want to scream if you hear, “Relax and stop trying so hard! Making a baby is the fun part!” one more time.

    As if you’re not trying hard enough to relax and keep the process of making a baby fun and not a job.

    And why is it always the women who don’t have children (nor do they want a child anytime soon) think that giving advice is wise?

    Much less do we talk about the emotions that come up when you receive unsolicited advice. From both women with and without children.

    Or how inadequate it makes you feel about your inability to conceive. And how it makes you wonder what you are doing wrong if it’s so easy for everyone else.

    Because it has to be you if it’s so easy for everyone else.

    We don’t talk about the friendships lost or changed. Either because they can’t understand your struggle or don’t care to.

    Or how isolated and alone that makes you feel.

    We don’t talk about the dread of going to family events because you don’t want to face the question of “When are you having a baby?”. No matter how many times you request that the question not come up.

    The question will come up and it will continue to.

    And because of that, tears will continue to happen quietly in a bathroom of that family event. Because who wants to be the center of attention as they cry in front of everyone?

    Certainly not you.

    We don’t talk about the heart-wrenching losses that happen behind closed doors. Or how it’s easier to stay quiet than have to relive that heartache with anyone other than your partner.

    Hell, it’s easier to stay quiet about all your struggles with anyone else but your partner. Because you don’t want to risk that unsolicited advice. Nor do you want to run the risk that someone will make light of your pain and struggle.

    There are no cultural norms surrounding infertility. Because of that, it seems like you’re left to navigate this journey alone.

    Except you’re not alone.

    I see you. I empathize with you. I am you.

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/Little-Rainbow-124208502305437/

     

  • You Have To Abort One Baby

    Yup. I’m going here.

    10 weeks. That’s how far along I was when I found out I was having twins.

    11 weeks is when I was guaranteed I wouldn’t be having twins. “Baby B is not going to make it and your putting Baby A in serious jeopardy the longer you wait to terminate.” They must have thought I was crazy. I didn’t cry. I didn’t even hardly react other than to very adamantly stick with my gut. Appointment after appointment…doctor after doctor….boy did they put the pressure on. Almost as if they would receive some sort of commission. None of that mattered. I was pregnant with 2 LIVING babies. I sure as hell wasnt going to just cut the chord bc it sounded like a good idea.

    Now don’t get me wrong. It was pure torture. I was basically waiting for my baby to die. No one knew. People just knew that I was pregnant with twins but talking about it was hell. When someone would bring up what my future was going to look like, it was all I could do to not crumble bc what they didn’t know was that one and maybe even both of my babies were going to die. After all, the drs assured me this. More than once.

    But then. Day by day…week by week we made it to THIRTY FOUR weeks. And the scariest day of my life arrived.

    I delivered two of the most beautiful, perfect babies I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Baby A tipping the scales at 4lbs 15oz and Baby B – the baby who “will never ever make it”…the baby in utero with 0% chance of survival – defeated all odds and proved a strength I wouldn’t believe if I didn’t see with my own eyes, blessed this world at 2lbs 9oz and not only never needed a ventilator, but ONLY needed oxygen and a feeding tube.

    Baby A spent 16 days in the NICU and Baby B spent 29.

    And here we are. Almost 2.5 years later.

    To think of how different my life could have been had I listened to any single one of those doctors.

    To think the day I delivered them I could have STILL made a different choice?! I can’t understand. And I don’t want to.

    #forevermybestdecision #twinsforthewin #whathappenedtohumanity

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/kaidensmommy1107

     

  • Dear Stranger I Think I May Have Ruined Your Day

    Dear stranger

    I may need to apologise to you, I think I may have ruined your day. You probably think I’m just another person who doesn’t understand, but I wanted to explain to you that I do. I get it. I wasn’t just another person staring at different, another person made to feel uncomfortable by a person not like myself. I wasn’t watching your son because I thought he was less than, I was watching him because I thought he was so much more.

    You see, in him I saw my future son. In you, I saw myself. You were just eating lunch, a normal everyday thing. Yet it was so much more than that. You were both deep in conversation, laughing and joking and oblivious to anything else around you. You just radiated fun, happiness and comfort.

    Your son has Down syndrome and he was happy. Living a life that others may view as worthless, yet it’s very clearly not. He shone! And you? The love and pride you have for your son was right there for all to see, you looked at him with nothing but joy. Not regret, not embarrassment and not pity. Just pure love.

    So I wanted to to thank you, because its parents like you that show parents like me that it’s going to be ok. It’s people like your son, that show parents like me a glimpse of our future and that we don’t need to fear it.

    I looked at you and I saw us.

    Yours sincerely

    A grateful Mother

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/IamRiverDownSyndromeAwareness/