I HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM
MacGregor Linus McClintic entered this world on October 6th. Someday I will have to sit down and express to you my feelings about how different the birth experiences were in that one birth brought an unimaginable amount of joy and one birth was in a sense a day filled with grief. There is such a huge difference in how I perceive both my kids birthdays, yet today, even with two different beginnings, I can honestly say I look at both my children and love them equally.
OK, I am getting off track.
OK, I am getting off track.
MacGregor was born October 6th and at the three month mark, January 5th, I was scheduled to go back to work.
January 5th.
Really?
Really!
That’s Maddox’s birthday......
So, this is how it unfolds.
The week before January 5th, the anxiety shot at me from many different angles. I had a new baby, I was running on no sleep, my hormone levels were wacky, I was going back to work in a few days, and above all things, it would soon be Maddox’s birthday. I still have mixed emotions about that day. It’s hard to celebrate the worst day of your life, yet there are so many reasons to celebrate. Bottom line is that I was a mess. I would cry at the drop of a pin, cry when I kissed my kids goodnight, cry trying to fall asleep, or during bath time, you name it and the tears were flowing.
I decided I needed to do something positive or else I would break.
That’s when I began writing. One phrase at a time, it poured out, my deepest innermost feelings. Low and behold, on January 3rd, I produced this composition.
My name is Maddox Lucille.
I’m two years old and I have a gambling problem.
You see, when I was born the doctors bet that my heart would murmur.
They lost, I won.
There is no murmur.
The doctors also bet my muscles would be weak and my development would be slow.
I won that bet too. I can walk and talk.
January 5th.
Really?
Really!
That’s Maddox’s birthday......
So, this is how it unfolds.
The week before January 5th, the anxiety shot at me from many different angles. I had a new baby, I was running on no sleep, my hormone levels were wacky, I was going back to work in a few days, and above all things, it would soon be Maddox’s birthday. I still have mixed emotions about that day. It’s hard to celebrate the worst day of your life, yet there are so many reasons to celebrate. Bottom line is that I was a mess. I would cry at the drop of a pin, cry when I kissed my kids goodnight, cry trying to fall asleep, or during bath time, you name it and the tears were flowing.
I decided I needed to do something positive or else I would break.
That’s when I began writing. One phrase at a time, it poured out, my deepest innermost feelings. Low and behold, on January 3rd, I produced this composition.
My name is Maddox Lucille.
I’m two years old and I have a gambling problem.
You see, when I was born the doctors bet that my heart would murmur.
They lost, I won.
There is no murmur.
The doctors also bet my muscles would be weak and my development would be slow.
I won that bet too. I can walk and talk.
Those doctors also put money on the idea that I wouldn’t be as smart as “normal children”
I really hit the jackpot here.
How many other 2 year olds know 70 different words in American Sign Language?
This doesn’t come easy. I spend 15 hours a week at therapy.
My friends get to have fun at gymnastics, dance, music, and library while go to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
I spend all this time working hard - for one thing.
A CHANCE at having the same opportunities in life as my friends.
I want invited to birthday parties, I want to attend public school, I want a career, I want a home, and I even want to fall in love.
Most people don’t have confidence in me to accomplish these things.
Instead they call me harsh names like mongoloid and retard.
These words are hurtful but only make me stronger because I bet you my tea set, I will prevail.
How many other 2 year olds know 70 different words in American Sign Language?
This doesn’t come easy. I spend 15 hours a week at therapy.
My friends get to have fun at gymnastics, dance, music, and library while go to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
I spend all this time working hard - for one thing.
A CHANCE at having the same opportunities in life as my friends.
I want invited to birthday parties, I want to attend public school, I want a career, I want a home, and I even want to fall in love.
Most people don’t have confidence in me to accomplish these things.
Instead they call me harsh names like mongoloid and retard.
These words are hurtful but only make me stronger because I bet you my tea set, I will prevail.
I am quite extraordinary even though the odds say I shouldn’t be.
Did you know I had an 8% chance of being born with down syndrome?
Along with that came a 70-80% chance that my mom should miscarry due to my chromosomal defect.
I survived a low speed motor vehicle accident, a placental abruption, and was born a little early.
The nine ultrasounds I had never detected my down syndrome markers. The blood work that was done to detect my down syndrome was lost.
Yeah, I’d say I beat some odds.
I defeated those odds because I am here for a purpose. (A purpose my mom struggles to understand some days.)
Mom doesn’t know that I am here to help teach the world about down syndrome.
Just because my face and body is shaped different doesn’t mean that my hopes and dreams are any different.
Everyday I wake up with a determination to beat the odds society has placed against me.
The reality is, it doesn’t matter how hard I work.
It matters how hard you work.
I bet you can accept me for the beautiful, smart, talented, driven little girl I am. And believe in all that I want to be.
I bet you can teach people to stop using hurtful words.
I bet you can teach other’s to follow suit.
So, do you agree that I have a gambling problem?
You bet your life I do. ☺
Did you know I had an 8% chance of being born with down syndrome?
Along with that came a 70-80% chance that my mom should miscarry due to my chromosomal defect.
I survived a low speed motor vehicle accident, a placental abruption, and was born a little early.
The nine ultrasounds I had never detected my down syndrome markers. The blood work that was done to detect my down syndrome was lost.
Yeah, I’d say I beat some odds.
I defeated those odds because I am here for a purpose. (A purpose my mom struggles to understand some days.)
Mom doesn’t know that I am here to help teach the world about down syndrome.
Just because my face and body is shaped different doesn’t mean that my hopes and dreams are any different.
Everyday I wake up with a determination to beat the odds society has placed against me.
The reality is, it doesn’t matter how hard I work.
It matters how hard you work.
I bet you can accept me for the beautiful, smart, talented, driven little girl I am. And believe in all that I want to be.
I bet you can teach people to stop using hurtful words.
I bet you can teach other’s to follow suit.
So, do you agree that I have a gambling problem?
You bet your life I do. ☺
Then, on January 4th, I woke up from my last maternity leave mid afternoon nap. I decided the world also needed to feel what I was feeling so I started writing this composition on notecards. I had watched a few notecard videos on YouTube while nursing MacGregor in the middle of the night and they were extremely moving. I wanted to have the same impact. I shook my hair out of it’s messy ponytail, went to my closet and pulled out shirt I had not worn since Maddox was born.
My Special Olympics shirt.
At one period it my life this shirt was my absolute favorite as it stood for so many things. When I received my Doctorate I did my thesis on Down Syndrome and Gymnastics. Part of writing this thesis involved donating my time at Summer Games for Special Olympics. It was one of the most breathtaking experiences I had ever been a part of. It was then that I purchased the most meaningful (and comfortable) shirt and wore it all the time, up until the day Maddox was born.
My Special Olympics shirt.
At one period it my life this shirt was my absolute favorite as it stood for so many things. When I received my Doctorate I did my thesis on Down Syndrome and Gymnastics. Part of writing this thesis involved donating my time at Summer Games for Special Olympics. It was one of the most breathtaking experiences I had ever been a part of. It was then that I purchased the most meaningful (and comfortable) shirt and wore it all the time, up until the day Maddox was born.
So yes, after two long years, I took a deep breath and finally put it on. It was like donning armor for what was about to become - the gambler sensation.
Scott had started a fire for us that day. I put MacGregor in the bouncy seat next to my computer and placed Maddox in my lap. We practiced one time holding notecards and then I hit the record button on my computer not knowing what would come of this.
I never in a bazillion trillion years imagined the impact this video would have on the world. 170,000 hits strong and still counting.
We are doing it!
We are making a difference.
Thank you viewers for sharing and passing our video along.
Since posting, Maddox has received an overwhelming response of birthday wishes, prayers, and thoughtful comments. We are extremely blessed to have been a part of the most precious birthday gift ever.
THE GIFT OF ACCEPTANCE.
Scott had started a fire for us that day. I put MacGregor in the bouncy seat next to my computer and placed Maddox in my lap. We practiced one time holding notecards and then I hit the record button on my computer not knowing what would come of this.
I never in a bazillion trillion years imagined the impact this video would have on the world. 170,000 hits strong and still counting.
We are doing it!
We are making a difference.
Thank you viewers for sharing and passing our video along.
Since posting, Maddox has received an overwhelming response of birthday wishes, prayers, and thoughtful comments. We are extremely blessed to have been a part of the most precious birthday gift ever.
THE GIFT OF ACCEPTANCE.
Comments:
SAVANNAH FRANKS, SE KANSAS
I Loved It! If it wasn't for this video from YouTube yesterday being shared on Facebook, I would have never found your page. I haven't gotten threw the whole site but I definitely will. I am a young mother of a special little boy named wyatt, he is 3 an has down syndrome as well. Everyday is a challenge, I knew from before birth that there was a chance he had down syndrome (blood test came back positive). I didn't choose to fully believe it till much later..... When I mean later I mean way later..... I was in denial. In so many of your blogs and articles I think "wow she's thinking what I thought, she's having to go threw what I went threw". I won't lie I cried when I watched your video, and I've cried reading your story on your site, cuz even though my son Will be 4 in September I personally know only one mom that's battled with a special needs child ( whom has done raised hers with autism and has shared stories). I've never heard anyone else's story. An I enjoy reading about your precious daughters story, an all of her accomplishments. I Will continue to read on and check back often for updates.
My son started preschool in August of 2011, he was a few weeks short of his 3rd birthday ( September 5th) but, was able to attend. He has the most Amazing teacher(she's the person I mentioned above with a special needs child)! One thing that she reminds me each time I struggle or need reassuring, " Your an amazing mother! Raising a child who Will never know the words I CAN'T! "
I could type for hours on here but I can't seem to see what I'm typeing (I'm on my phone). So I Will get off here keep up the great work! Please look me up on Facebook Savannah Boyer - Franks to chat and see pictures of my lil boy, I was hoping to add one on here but am having complications on my smart phone. *Savannah Franks
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012 - 02:36 AM
I Loved It! If it wasn't for this video from YouTube yesterday being shared on Facebook, I would have never found your page. I haven't gotten threw the whole site but I definitely will. I am a young mother of a special little boy named wyatt, he is 3 an has down syndrome as well. Everyday is a challenge, I knew from before birth that there was a chance he had down syndrome (blood test came back positive). I didn't choose to fully believe it till much later..... When I mean later I mean way later..... I was in denial. In so many of your blogs and articles I think "wow she's thinking what I thought, she's having to go threw what I went threw". I won't lie I cried when I watched your video, and I've cried reading your story on your site, cuz even though my son Will be 4 in September I personally know only one mom that's battled with a special needs child ( whom has done raised hers with autism and has shared stories). I've never heard anyone else's story. An I enjoy reading about your precious daughters story, an all of her accomplishments. I Will continue to read on and check back often for updates.
My son started preschool in August of 2011, he was a few weeks short of his 3rd birthday ( September 5th) but, was able to attend. He has the most Amazing teacher(she's the person I mentioned above with a special needs child)! One thing that she reminds me each time I struggle or need reassuring, " Your an amazing mother! Raising a child who Will never know the words I CAN'T! "
I could type for hours on here but I can't seem to see what I'm typeing (I'm on my phone). So I Will get off here keep up the great work! Please look me up on Facebook Savannah Boyer - Franks to chat and see pictures of my lil boy, I was hoping to add one on here but am having complications on my smart phone. *Savannah Franks
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012 - 02:36 AM
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