Why Is It Important?

When I was revamping our blog for Valentine's Day, it occurred to me that I've never really explained WHY the "Important Links" are important to me... So here goes it:

The first one is the Autism Society of America. We have known that something was different about Chase from a very early age. As a therapist, I think I've just learned to accommodate him as he's grown. Chase doesn't have a full autism diagnosis, but does have Pervasive Developmental Disorder with austistic tendencies as well as Mild Developmental Delay. So for us - this website has really helped us to understand Chase as he grows and changes.

Fight Prematurity is a website by the March of Dimes to help raise awareness about prematurity. This is a big one for us because BOTH of our girls were premature: Kayleigh by 7 weeks, and Paige by a whopping 9 weeks! Both had very different circumstances that really made Mike and I thankful for all we have with them. Kayleigh has no long term "direct" effects from prematurity and Paige only has challenges with asthma. We are very blessed!

The "In Memory of Mom" link is a link to the Melanoma Research Foundation. My Mom lost her battle with Melanoma on April 13, 2003. Melanoma is most serious type of skin cancer, and the hardest to treat. There is so much more research that needs to be done to keep others from losing loved ones as young as Mom.

The Juvenile Diabetes Association is another one linked to Kayleigh. When Kayleigh was in 6th grade she collapsed in school. We were called and she had to be taken to the hospital.... it was then that we learned she had trouble with sugar. This past year, her cousin also collapsed and was later diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. It's hard to watch these young kids have to watch every little last thing they put in their mouth, for fear of what it will do to their bodies.

Kawasaki Disease is a very rare, and little known about auto-immune heart disease. The key to KD being treatable is for the child to be diagnosed by day 11! ELEVEN! That's not much time! Chase was very sick when he was 5 and had been in and out of the pediatrician three times in just about a weeks time. Chase was diagnosed on day 9... 2 days from what could have been complete devastation for our family! Since his initial diagnosis he has had two acute episodes - which is even more rare than the actual disease itself!

And Organ Donation! This is one that, fortunately, we don't have personal experience with. We do realize, though, that the simple gift of organ donation saves lives and brings joy to someone during a time of loss for another. It's just common sense to us!

I hope this encourages you to check out these sites and see how you can get involved!