This is written
with love in my heart for all the parents of disabled children of any age.
My work will not have been in vain if in some way sharing of that
traumatic first part of our lives against all insidious warfare involved
can help one person, the work will have been worth everything. If you can
get through the first part of the book it will be seen we did go on to be
happy conquerors of our battle. Work is the key word and it is toil
without monetary rewards. However, the gifts are so much greater than
that, and nothing could stop me from doing it all over again.
Only God looks
down on the parents as they struggle to do the best for their child and it
is He who sends his angels to carry them UPON THEIR HANDS.
We kept the motto, “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Believe
me the final chapter is sweet.
Special thanks must go to my family, my mother and father, my
husband’s parents, brothers and sisters who were in the early day
benevolent and understanding of our condition as far as having to deal
with all the problems involved on a daily basis.
I’m grateful to the kind hearted physicians who spoke encouraging
words and saw to help us in any way they could.
The Ponca City, Oklahoma Fire Department for the many volunteer hours
they gave us with what was called, “patterning” our daughter which was a
rigorous physical therapy program involving an eight hour day.
Many citizens of Ponca City from all different denominations stepped
up as volunteers and helped with Rhonda’s therapy.
Last, but not least of all, I express my thanks to Alastair McIntyre
of Scotland originally and now of Canada who has patiently helped me
through the deciphering of old notes and the writing of this sometimes
painful material. |