Play With Me...

I tried to teach my child with books.

He gave me only puzzled looks.

I tried to teach my child with words.

They passed him by often unheard.

Despairingly, I turned aside.

"How shall I teach this child?" I cried.

Into my hand he put the key

"Come," he said, "play with me."

-auther unknown-

My daughter Alexandra continues to amaze and surprise me on many occasions. She keeps me grounded and reminds me that: after all, she is just another kid. She takes her child duties very seriously as she exercises her right of demanding my attention on numerous occasions. Whenever I get caught up with the medical confusion of it all, she will give me the “we need to play now mommy”. She is so right! As special moms we tend to want to push our kids and strive for more. Our entire daily structure revolves around wanting to teach them one thing or another, forgetting the most basic motherly duty of just playing with them. We set such rigid schedules for them and ourselves that things get overwhelming on many occasions. We must never forget that the most effective learning comes from spending time with your child and just playing.

©Copyright 2007.Najwa S. Hirn. All rights reserved.

What I do..

Any mom will know how important it is to learn that her child is progressing. A special mom is no exception. Actually, it may be more crucial for a special mom since every little step her child takes is a big leap. Small achievements are celebrated highly. Everything is a lengthy learning and repeated process and nothing can be taken for granted. Encouraging remarks, no matter how insignificant they may sound, provide a special mom with a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. All the hard work and heartache is paying off.

On that note, I wanted to share a very encouraging comment that I received today from my daughter’s teacher and classroom assistant. They both told me “Alex is showing good learning potential. Even though she is not verbal, she understands and has a high level of cognitive skill. She knows a lot more than she lets us be aware of”. That made my day! I had believed in my child for a long time but it was nice to realize that other people acknowledged her skills and abilities too.

Now if you ask me how can a child who was born weighing 12 oz. and measuring 8 inches come thus far? Even though she continues to face medical challenges daily, I have always taken daily and even minute-by-minute steps to ensure that she functions up to her full potential. It is those steps that I share with you today that have gotten her to where she is today. Here’s what I do:

1. A lot of prayer.
2. A lot of TLC.
3. I encouraged the use of Mozart music in her incubator when she was still in NICU. I
continued to use the music with her at home.
4. I kept up with all the necessary medical appointments that she has needed and will need.
5. I’ve monitored her feedings very rigorously to ensure that she is received enough caloric
intake daily.
6. I ensure that she is receiving enough water daily.
7. I’ve been giving her multivitamin mixed in with her formula daily.
8. I’ve mixed Probiotics in with her formula daily to help her G.I function.
9. I’ve mixed Flaxseed Oil with her formula to enhance her Omega-3 intake.
10. I’ve mixed Olive Oil with her formula for caloric increase as well as its known other benefits
as mentioned in: Better Health Channel.
11. I mix blenderized baby food and other food with her formula as she tolerates them.
12. I have just started giving her Benefiber in her formula. The powder I use contains B-
vitamins as well as Folic acid.
13. For the past four years, I’ve taken her to undergo Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at different
times of the year. This is for brain function enhancement as well as a whole body wellness.
14. I’ve arranged for her to receive massage and CranioSacral Therapy twice per week for the
past five years.
15. She has received OT and PT to assist with her movements
16. She continues to receive Behavior therapy, which concentrates on using an ABA approach,
combined with the ABLLS program. She has progressed with this by leaps and bounds.
17. I read to her when she shown interest.
18. We incorporate a lot of music in her day. She loves music and will enjoy watching a jazz
video as well as listen to international music on her player.
19. She learns from watching her Disney TV shows.

Future goals:
20. I am hoping to start giving her PhosphetidylSerine for additional Brain function
enhancement.
21. I am researching the use of Homeopathy with special needs and hope to start her with a
Homeopath to help her ADHD, seizures and other ailments.

Alex is my gift and I will continue to provide her with all opportunities for success..

©Copyright 2007.Najwa S. Hirn. All rights reserved.

The True Me..

http://njministries.org/njm/ecards.html

Several years ago a neighbor told me that I was very strong. I was attending college at the time and sharing an apartment with my sister. It always seemed like my sister would be the strong one, after all, she was more outgoing, assertive and exuberant. My neighbor would insist that I had an inner strength that will one day surface. I didn’t believe her at the time even though she held a Ph.D. in psychology, what does academics know about my personality any way, I knew me and that’s that..

Since my daughter’s birth, my neighbor’s words come back to me constantly. One of the biggest lessons that Alex has taught me is how to allow my strong side to emerge. I never believed that I’d have it in me to be assertive and aggressive on many occasions as I fight for her needs. As a special mom we are our child’s only advocate in this harsh environment we call our world. Even the most timid of our species transforms into a Lioness when the need calls and it is always calling. Never a day goes by without some sort of a medical, educational or other service suffers cuts that affect our kids with special needs. Never a day goes by without our exercising our strength as we continue our journey to help our kids. Thank you Alex for bringing out the true me..

©Copyright 2007.Najwa S. Hirn. All rights reserved.

A Strong Back..

Don't ask for a light load, but rather ask for a strong back.

- Anonymous

Many times I seem to catch myself saying phrases like: “God please give me strength to be able to carry out your plan”. I have already accepted and embraced the constant challenges that come as part of being a special mom but I do need the physical strength to keep going. I am almost positive that you face similar situations constantly. Situations that involve lifting, bending, carrying, moving or dragging something during your day. If it is not your child you are transporting then it will be medical equipment, cases of medical formula or other necessary supplies. I am beginning to think that the best weight-loss program out there is being a parent of a special needs child. It’s free and you are constantly walking vigorously while under the influence of the heavy load that you are carrying. You just pray that your back and muscles will hold this strenuous kind of exercise..

©Copyright 2007.Najwa S. Hirn. All rights reserved.

Making a Difference..

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

No matter what our daily challenges are, we can still strive to make a difference. Simple actions of love, compassion and care can go a long way. We can definitely receive happiness when we give that same to other people. Special kids bring with them special joys and love. I know because my Alex gives me happiness every day. In her simple ways she shows me how much she cares. Maybe it’s a kiss she will plant on my cheek or just a cuddle. Her eyes are the windows to her soul and I know how much love and happiness her soul continues to spread.

Please take a moment and make someone else happy today in anyway you can think of. A friend emailed me this video that I am about to share. Enjoy watching this special boy who has brought so much happiness to so many people. It’s a tear jerker..

The Simple Truth of Service

©Copyright 2007.Najwa S. Hirn. All rights reserved.

The Birthday Party..

My daughter Alexandra continues to amaze and surprise me daily. I never know from one minute to the next what she’ll be up to or what we’ll be doing. I guess that is what can be called as “spicing up our lives”.

We were invited to her cousin’s first birthday party this afternoon. I wasn’t sure what to expect or if she would even tolerate it. It can be a touch- and-go with these gatherings sometimes. I am blessed to have a very understanding family who don’t ask questions if I have to decline an invitation or walk out of a get-together. They all know that it is Alex’s schedule that rules and not mine. This makes things much easier and less pressured for me.

Anyhow, back to the party, Alex really enjoyed it today. She greeted everyone, was smiling and walking around. She enjoyed hoping from one adult lap to another. We were both very happy that we were able to celebrate her cousin’s birthday. He was smiling and getting around, she was smiling and getting around; life just couldn’t get any better this afternoon. Happy birthday Cuz, we love you..

©Copyright 2007.Najwa S. Hirn. All rights reserved.

Freebies..

What would you think if I told you that you could get free learning software for your special child. I couldn’t believe it either until I went to this site: Hiyah.net. As a matter of fact, I am currently downloading one the free software as we speak, oops.. I mean write.. The software was developed by a mom to meet the educational needs of her two boys. What a wonderful idea to have it be available for all the other parents also. Even though the software is designed to meet a child up to age 4, it would be ideal for our special children. The simplicity of such programs can highly assist our children catch up. Our special kids struggle with educational requirements at different ages. Sometimes, they need material that is developed for younger age groups that can help them catch up. I hope this can be of assistance to all you special moms looking for appropriate material. Good luck..

©Copyright 2007.Najwa S. Hirn. All rights reserved.