Week of Thanks: I'm thankful for a healthy child.

Being your oridinary average run of the mill (redundant much?) three year old, there's not much going on in Sprite's World that can throw me for a loop.

She mostly suffers her colds in cheerful silence, never complaining about the sniffles or coughs that come her way. Most of the time, we learn of her illness through her sneezes and the resulting color of the dangling participles (sorry for the visual, but that is our child's way. We've learned to stop gagging. You should too.) (Veteran parents are probably rolling their eyes, thinking, "You want disgusting? I can show you disgusting.") (No, thanks though.)

She scratches the hell out of her skin thanks to Eczema, but oh well. Here's a band aid and long sleeves. Stop yer bitching. (We're talking about my bitching of course.)

She feeds off the energy of her older cousins, but what kid doesn't? It's attention! From an older kid! Let it go unless you start to hear the older role models practicing their cursing skills, then remove the sponge-like small one from their presence. (We're talking about- yeah, you get it..)

Here's the point. I can't complain. She's a textbook child. (The attitude may be abnormal, but the pediatrician says I have no case.)

Most of the time, if you watch a child on the playground for about 10 minutes or so, (keep in mind, obviously watching a kid who is not yours may mean the child's parent is probably watching YOU, but we all do it.) you can get a good clue about how that child is in general. Factors will pop up and notify you of a possible physical or mental condition because the child is acting normally and some of these conditions will present themselves naturally.

But what about the kids whose conditions are invisible?

You wouldn't be able to tell if someone has Epilepsy unless they say something, right? Or unless they have an episode.

It is National Epilepsy Awareness Month and Kirsten over at Gone Bananasis promoting the hell out of it. Of course, her reasoning is close to the heart. Her daughter Meg was diagnosed with Epilepsy at a very young age, and while she lives the life of a normal child and loves everything about Hannah Montana, (By the way, is it just me or does Miley Cyrus slur her words? Oh, sorry, back to the more important topic) Epilepsy still is a very foreboding shadow on an otherwise sunshine day.

Kirst makes it her mission to keep Meg's life as carefree as possible (although she can't shield Meg from homework. That always sneaks in somehow.) while also educating others and raising funds to find a cure for (or at least a way to prevent) Epilepsy.

She's hosting a give away to drum up some buzz about getting the word out about epilepsy and the little known facts.

So go on over, say hi, and get acquainted with a cause that needs more support.

And be thankful for the health in your body, your child's body. Suddenly, childish angst doesn't carry so much weight, does it?

Comments

[Rachel]

This was great, and I will check out the link!

[Julie@Momspective]

You're so right. I'm grateful for so many wonderful things, including you!

[Julie W]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family! I hope you have a great one. Thanks for the info on epilepsy - and the reminder.

[Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings]

I'm grateful for a healthy child too...while he has the issues with his ears, etc. ...he is doing well and I'm glad. If we ever do face some challenges, I hope to find support from others and I hope Kirstin does too!

[Jan]

"You want disgusting? I can show you disgusting." You knew I was coming over, didn't you? :P

One of Beloved's cousins is a neurosurgeon who had done some incredible research on epilepsy; I'll pop over to Kirsten's here in a bit (I'm taking the day off to cook - I KNOW! Who'da thunk??).

Oh, and my next spin is up: http://www.jbsitedesigns.com/?p=6084

[Kirsty@Gone Bananas]

Jen thanks so much for this wonderful post and for helping Meggers and I get the word out about Epilepsy. We never imagined that it would become part of our lives, but now we've become a part of the fight for a cure. We are lucky and thankful that right now Meg is well controled on medication, but there are many who are not and undergo risky surgeries so that they can acheive some sort of normalcy in their lives. The more people "Talk About It" the more stigma's are disolved and the more people become educated about it. So from the bottom of our hearts thanks again. xx

[Michele]

JR & I spent years thanking the powers that be for the health of our children. Meg is a lucky child to have a concerned, loving, and smart mommy.

[Mama Badger]

I was just there yesterday. Link is in the sidebar now! For Meggers and all the kids out there who make the most out of an extraordinary life.

And here is today's post:
http://outoftheboondocks.blogspot.com/2009/11/wordless-wednesday.html

Thank god for our "nothing special to anyone but us" kids. Let's hope they stay that way. Because I'm pretty good with average these days.

[Maureen@IslandRoar]

You're the best for doing this! I love Kirsten's blog.
Man, I'm amazed at this bloggy world; I had no idea when I started this last May. I am thankful for you all!

[Karen @ If I Could Escape]

Great post! Thanks for posting about my beautiful niece and spreading the message about National Epilepsy Awareness Month!!

[Heather]

Epilepsy, never seen a child have an episode, but my first hubby had it. Scared the bejebbers out of me! I can't even imagine how scary it would be for a parent.

Great post and I will definately be checking Kirsten out!

[Pseudo]

I'll go check the link out, and happy Thanksgiving Eve Jen.

[Erin@TheLocals Love It]

I'm gratful for a healthy child too. I'll go check her out.

Here's my spin

http://thelocalsloveit.com/2009/11/25/a-world-of-thanks/

[K]

I am truly thankful for my healthy child. Parenting is hard, but parents of child's with special needs are super heros in my book.

[Jenni]

Me too, for two healthy kids.

[Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)]

Very thankful for a healthy child. :) One of my best friends has epilepsy...very scary stuff!

[anymommy]

No, it doesn't. I am thankful. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[Buy Fioricet Online]

Any parent will not wish more than having a healthy kids!