Monday, February 21, 2011

when sparks fly...

...it is usually because there is a true spirit in the room.

Since the day of his birth, Brandan has yet to cease to amaze us. He spoke very early, very clearly, and with intent meaning. Determined? Yes. Most definitely so. He has the memory of an elephant, but can't stay organized to save himself. When he began having seizures at the age of four, we were in and out of the hospital many times to determine how to treat them. After three years of finally getting it right and treating the anxiety attacks that mirrored the seizures, we found that, with age he was outgrowing them. Side effects of medication later, our Brandan battles ADHD. Of all the diagnosis in the world, we count ourselves lucky that we have the means to research, question, and treat this issue.

Today, we continue to UNDERSTAND it. Some days we can feed the soul and fill his high metabolism (the more he eats the more grounded he is; less not an ounce gained on this skinny boy). Some days, his energy is tapped through rigorous skating, fast-paced basketball practice, endless running outside on hot and cold days alike. Some days, we learn to have more patience than others. But on ALL days we refuse to give up fighting for this ingenious kid's ability to succeed.

We have run the gamut with him. He can't settle unless his adrenaline is pumped. Isn't that the craziest thing in the world? Yes, Brandan needs adrenaline to calm down. The interest MUST be there for him to commit to task. The things that excite him most can't be found in a book (unless you are talking about Lincoln's life or a cookbook). He loves style. He adores sports. He breathes laughter. He can sit still long enough to play a hand held game that blinks at lightening speed, but if it's cleaning his room - that mundane, age old chore - he gets wrapped up in each item he picks up and it takes hours to push him forward.

If you know a child with ADHD, then you know self worth is the pinnacle of being. It takes every ounce of courage I have to turn everything over and place optimism in his lap. I know this kid...MOST days. His growing and stretching is sure something else, but I am thankful that Chato and I are able to hold it all together. Our faith tells us that for Brandan, anything is possible. We just have to help him learn it one step at a time.
If that means I have to rub his back, carry him on my shoulders, lift him up to touch the sky...then SO be it. But pray for us, as we play with these preteen years.
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And if I know my Brandan, he will be reading this. He often sneaks back into my blog when I am not around and goes sifting back through the events that make up our lives. (Pictures are VISUAL interest that grab on to that adrenaline!) Baby boy: YOU CAN MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS YOU WANT, AS LONG AS YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS GET YOU TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE. God will provide your path, but it is up to you to have faith to follow it.
We love you.

3 comments:

Mrs. Weddle said...

love it!

Shel said...

I soooo enjoy your heartfelt journaling! :)

Pam said...

Looove this. Totally need to just copy the journaling+the collage and plop it on a page:)