With each passing day I am more amazed at the progress Sophie is making, she is a fighter. Her will to learn and live are truly inspiring, it makes everything else seem so insignificant.
We were told Sophie would not survive past the age of 2, she will be 5 next month.
We were told if she lived she would be in a vegetative state and would never learn. Today with a heart full of love, hope and gratitude I will tell you how far she has come.
Despite ALL of her medical issues she is thriving and happy. She smiles everyday, her laughter is contagious and her beautiful innocence is unlike anything you could have imagined to have the opportunity to experience. There is this immense peace that surrounds her.
Sophie CAN walk! She can run and has begun to jump. She is so active it is truly an amazing sight.
Sophie CAN eat, she LOVES food. She may not yet have the ability to chew solid foods but this does not stop her from enjoying what she loves. From oatmeal to rice and beans to ice cream she enjoys it all. I used to think I would never see the day where Sophie would no longer be a slave to Pediasure and the blender, I was so wrong.
Sophie CAN love. She loves all those who surround her, she can give kisses, hugs and loves to cuddle. And she knows when someone is sad, especially me. There is no hiding your emotions from her, she is highly intuitive and extremely sensitive to the energies around her.
Sophie CAN make choices. If you give her options of different foods or movies she will chose what she wants without direction from someone else.
Sophie CAN communicate. It may not be with words but she gets her needs across and has no problem expressing herself. Just because she cannot speak does not mean she does not have words, her words come from signs or expressions and utilmately all the words we, her family have for her.
Sophie CAN participate. Sophie loves to be around people; while her health prevents her from truly experiencing the world when she is given the opportunity she gives it her all. And even sensory processing disorder won’t stop her.
Sophie Comprehends. The doctors expected her development to not flourish but that did not stop her, Sophie understands. She understands more than what I would have ever imagined she would have the ability to comprehend.
If you tell her let’s go bye bye, she will try to undress herself because she knows she has to change her pajamas before she leaves the house. And before you tell her that its bath time be certain you are ready because she will not wait, she will be in the bathtub before you know what hit you. And be forewarned at dinner time you cannot pass her up, when she sees the kids sit down at the table she runs to her chair and makes sure we know she is ready to eat. She knows what goes on in her surroundings and chooses to react when she is ready.
As I look back at the last five years I feel so very blessed but I also feel sad that for a short time I never thought she would ever come this far.
Sophie’s siblings have always loved and accepted her just as she is, she is just one of them. Their love has been essential to her determination and strength, they complete her just as she completes them. We cannot dwell on the reality that Sophie does not develop like most children her age because then we would miss out of who SHE is. I like to say Sophie is hardwired differently, we can’t all be the same after all.
Sophie has come a long way in these last almost five years of life. She is what love is made of. We are so proud of her, more than words can describe. And while she may not be like everyone else, she is uniquely perfect just the way she is. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same!
My Dance in the Rain 
