My Thank You...

If someone would have told me 3 years ago that Annabel would still be alive and that she would accomplish all the things that she has, I probably would have laughed and said thanks for being optimistic. Here I am and it is all happening around me. For all of you out there that do not know me, I am Annabel's older sister Tara. I have had the pleasure of spending the past two years babysitting Annabel during the day as my "job". My family laughs at me but I know they are jealous. She is the best friend that anyone could ask for... We watch cartoons, eat snacks, and take naps together on a daily basis. It's the perfect life! Now that she has started school, I am missing the little things with her... like when I rub her nose she makes the funniest pucker face, if I sing to her she laughs out loud, and her mid-morning bath that she smiles and kicks in. These are things that we were told she would never be capable of. Children communicate in their own way, you just have to pay attention and give them a chance to express themselves. My mom has been posting blogs from her perspective so I figure I should give it a go as well.
When Annabel came to us I was terrified.... there was not an owner's manual or to do list attached with her! All the doctors would tell us is to love her and care for her each day because she is going to die. Ok thanks for the advice doc?!? Days, weeks, and months went by and there was no dying going on. I didn't know what to do or how to act so I just watched from afar as my mom did her thing. In the beginning, I was so scared that she was going to choke and die that I had convinced myself that she was choking every time that I fed her. Finally my mom sat me down and said that if she dies it is not my fault and all I can do is love her while she is still with us.... well, I took that to heart and have been doing it everyday since.
I just want to say to all of you out there that have had the opportunity to give birth to a child with a genetic disorder... THANK YOU!! Thank you for going through with it no matter what the doctors told you, thank you for not giving up on a life even if it was for moments/days/months/ no matter what the length of time. These statistics the doctors are using are inaccurate and so the more survivors that are documented, the better chance that you are helping another pregnancy down the road. If the doctors are basing these children solely on statistics then they don't have a chance, but if we can get them to identify with them as human beings then they will might be more optimistic. Life is too precious to let days go by without hope... Annabel is living proof of this. I have never seen a child as happy as she is from the moment she wakes up until the time she goes to sleep. I am all too grateful to God for bringing her to my life. Hopefully this page with bring insight to those looking for help, hope, information, advice, or anything else you may need. There are plenty of people out there that are willing to help and I truly appreciate it. My final thank you goes to my mother who has put Annabel's needs before her own and fought to give her the best life possible over these past 3 years and as many as it takes in the future... thank you to all of the people that have become a part of "Annabel's Family". She thrives off of the love that she receives from everyone around her. God's path is not always seen yet it is already set forth... have hope and follow your heart!

Thank you,
Tara