Well, first of all and most importantly, Ian is doing beautifully! I could hold him and play with him for hours. I tear up when I look at him. The doctor's words "I don't know why bad things happen to good people," came to my mind this morning. I know he didn't mean Ian but Ian's DW, but I can't help but cry when I think of that horrible time. He is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have learned so much from him already.

Ally, Ian, and I met my neighbor and her grandkids in the city yesterday to visit the history museum. It was a good time and I was proud of myself for venturing there on my own with the kiddos! Pathetic, I know! Anyway on our way out of the city, I noticed a sign for a school for blind children. I guess I just made a mental note of that. Also, I believe in an earlier post I had mentioned that I thought Ian was favoring turning his head to the right. Keep these in mind as you continue reading. It's the irony of my life. Pretty much what makes me crazy.

I had a bit of an emotional setback yesterday. Through early intervention, I have joined a group called Parent to Parent in which parents are matched according to children's conditions to receive and provide support for one another. A very nice mom called me yesterday to offer support. She has a little boy who is 7 years old with DW. She was so sweet to share her son's world with me. She knew a lot about DW and especially vision. Her son is visually impaired. He has a condition in which he sees, but his brain can't process the images. He also has very small optic nerves. They used to live on the other side of the state, but they moved here for their son to attend the school for blind children here on our side of the state. What are the chances that the day I notice this school, I learn of a child with DW who attends there? I asked her how they noticed that his vision was affected. She told me his grandmother noticed that he only looked to the right. She found a neuro opthamologist who could read her sons MRI, and the condition was identified. She was a teacher and decided to go back to school for vision support therapy, and she now works for Early Intervention. I told her that I used to think that Ian preferred his right side but that now he does look to both sides. She asked if he was making eye contact with me, etc. He is, so that's good. Her son is also nonverbal,suffers seizures, and isn't walking independently yet, but he's close! Please pray for T. He sounds like an amazing little guy that has had to face more challenges in his 7 years than many of us will face in our lifetimes. Because she is local, I asked her if she knew of our pediatric neurologist. She said many of her patients see him. I didn't get a good vibe at all. She said he is brutally honest, and that it sounds like we have had the most positive experience with him. :-( I do still love him, and his experience and knowledge of the brain can't be doubted, so I'm still thanking God for him. It is easy to love someone who tells you good things though! I explained the condition of Ian's brain to her and she was encouraging. I asked how vision impairments are tied to DW and she explained that it takes 40% of the brain to process a visual image so anytime the brain is compromised, vision issues can happen. I guess it's the same with hearing.

I have to admit I have been living on a high cloud since Ian was born, and maybe all of this into bring me back down and prepare me once again for the unknown. I have met so many strong and faith filled parents and amazing kids. Life is fragile and precious. Thanks for listening.