The Daughter I Advocate For | Portrait Post #A4Amonth

Prompt: Write a descriptive portrait of your child. Share qualities that make her who she is – and include an image! (A photo or creative work of them!)

I advocate for my 13 year old daughter, Sammi. She is a loving daughter who amazes with her bravery, her humor and her ability to talk about things that children her age may find difficult. When fitting in with other children is often the most important part of life (middle school age), Sammi became the one that stood out because of her health problems. It was hard for her, really hard, but she learned to use humor, especially when other students asked her what was wrong with her or why she couldn’t do certain things.

She learned that friends and strangers alike could be rude by asking about delicate issues, but began to realize that they were curious or didn’t know how to let her know that she cared. Little by little, she opened up and told them about her diagnoses: Sinus Tachycardia, POTS (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome), and just a little bit about anxiety.

After sharing with her friends, they began to look out for her, especially during PE. One time, she became confused because of a high heart rate and wasn’t close to her teacher. A friend realized what happened, told the teacher and got help for her. Sammi educated other tweens about these serious health problems. I am so proud of her!

Although there have been times that she’s been too depressed or anxious to attend school or do much of anything, she works with a therapist to get the help she needs. Before that can happen, she opens up and talks to me about how she feels. The way she can articulate her feelings is beyond her years. It truly helps with getting the assistance she needs.

She doesn’t want people to feel sorry for her. In fact, she hates it. She worries more about me and my husband, especially when we take her to see her doctors. In fact her ability to accept the diagnoses, misdiagnoses, the medical tests she goes through and the unknown of the past (before we knew exactly what was wrong) is remarkable.

I’m taking part in WEGO’s Advocating For Another Carnival. To learn more about it and to join in visit http://bit.ly/A4Amonth.