Our "Trip"

When my daughter was diagnosed, almost 11 years ago (wow), a well meaning friend sent me “Welcome to Holland” poem from Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul. I am sure that all special needs parents have read it at some time in their child’s life. For those that aren’t familiar with it, it metaphorically compares being a special needs parent to planning a trip to fabulous Italy and ending up in Holland. It explains that, for the unexpected trip to Holland, you need to “buy new guidebooks”, “learn a new language” and “you will meet a whole new group of people you would have never met”. So, my time in “Holland” isn’t so bad. It has brought such a different perspective on life. I have a genuine appreciation of everything... even the simple things. (A day without seizures really ranks!) We are so lucky... Grant it, it’s not always easy…. I’m still looking for the perfect guidebook. But, hey it’s a trip and this “whole new group of people” I now call friends!!

So, now we are on a planned trip… The North Star Express!! I can’t explain to you the feeling that I have right now… It’s like looking forward to a Disney vacation… Disney is a lot of work especially with three kids but it is so much fun… I now have my own metaphor… and, more importantly, I have the feeling that I can’t go wrong with a Disney trip or our North Star dog!