Meningitis Support Group

Hi,
My name is Darlene. I am the mother of a 11 year old daughter who had meningitis when she was 21/2 years old. She to was like your son. When we came home from the hospital she could only come her right arm and leg. We could put her in a chair and she couldn't move. She could be off the vent for about 3 hours at a time. We had started weaning her off the vent while we were still in the hospital. The florascope had showed that both sides of her diapharm had started to move. Her left side had been paralyzed. Her left side is still her weakest. Now she is off the vent while awake. She uses a walker, crutches, and a wheelchair. The walker is for safety at school so the kids can't accidently knock her down and the wheelchair is for distance. She tires easily. Because it takes alot for these kids to do things that are normal for everyone else. Emily goes to school and is in a regular class room. She does horse back riding and she does cheerleading with the Special Olympics. She is really like any other 11 year old. The doctors had told us that it could take up to two years for Emily to get back what ever was going to come. They told us from the get go that Emily would have affects from the meningitis.

I just want you to know that it's still early for your son. DON'T EVER GIVE UP HOPE!!!!! Doctor's don'tknow every thing they have an idea about what your son's life may be like. But they do not have a direct line to GOD'S ear. They told us Emily would never come the vent, she wouldn't move from the neck down and she had a G-tube for feeding. I couldn't accept every thing they said because if I did I felt I would have gave up on her. You will learn your son and you will know when to push a little. Always remember that no matter what his life holds it's not a excuse to not try. Treat him as much like you would any of your other children. He will execpt his limitation as will as you do.
It's not easy but it's worth it. He is best is good enough for you. You just have to help him get to his best. One day you are going to look back at this time and think how in the world did we make it through. But this will become your new normal. Believe me it will. We did. There is no way of knowing how your son is going to be in 2 or 3 years. Having Emily has taught us patience, to be thankful for each day, and not to take things for grant. She has taught us so much. The Lord did bless me twice with Emily. The day I had her and the day we brought her home from the hospital. Remember your son can give love and he can recieve love.