Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008

doesn’t dwell on his limitations, family member. or who he was “supposed” to When Jill Garrett’s baby girl be in life. Instead, they focus was born 40 years ago and later on his laughter, his love and identified with traits of Down his ability to bond with perfect syndrome, any traces of grief strangers. quickly melted into relief. “We have a child who we “We were relieved that we love unconditionally,” says could finally move forward to Matusik, of Naperville, whose get her appropriate treatment son’s nickname is Mr. Magoo. and help her grow to her full “Sure I have days that are bad, potential,” says Garrett, a project but every time I see my son manager for Easter Seals DuPage smile it does not matter. Maybe and the Fox Valley Region in we are so busy we do not allow Villa Park. ourselves to grieve.” “In the beginning, on very Tracy Krupka, whose 1-yearrare occasions, I felt there were old son Charlie was born three some things that she would not months premature weighing Josh Hawkins/Chicago Parent experience in her life,” Garrett only two pounds, remembers says. “But as she got older, I Lynn Matusik and her son Sam, 5. her doctor asking how she felt could see she was very content about the possibility of her baby Park. “It was during that critical time when with her life and there were having “special needs.” Charlie indeed had I embraced the idea of having a child with many accomplishments she could still attain.” several special needs when he came into the special needs.” Nicole Tyszkiewicz, whose little “sweet world, and he still is at risk for developmenOther parents who have experienced pea” is now 1, has fallen in love with the new tal delays or cerebral palsy. the grief of loss over the child they once identity of her baby girl, gushing, “McKenna “I remember thinking that coping with imagined admit it was at first difficult to has a smile that can change your life.” issues of special needs would be much embrace the new reality they faced. But more manageable than worrying about in time they came to realize the newfound Jerry Davich is a Chicago area freelance writer and dad. Charlie’s survival,” says Krupka, of Forest joys, hopes and expectations of their newest MANNY HERRERA Occupational Therapist Volo Commerce Center 26575 West Commerce Dr. Unit 506 Volo, IL 60073 T: 847.740.6229 F: 847.740.6447 e: mannyot@sbcglobal.net ChicagoParent.com | Specıal Parent 2008 CHICAGO | 19 http://www.specialkidsday.org http://www.specialkidsday.org http://ChicagoParent.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008

Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008 Contents In Our Shoes Of Mothers and Mission Control A Love Story Keeping the Whole Family Well What Do I Do? Resources God's Special Child Our Kids Inspirations

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