Angelina’s Story
My daughter was born 9 weeks early on November 27, 2006. We had it a bit tough right from the get go.
The morning she was born I had a placenta abruption and nearly bled to death in
my own bed. But with the help of god and a few angels he sent (ambulance
workers, police but mostly my husband) to watch over us we made it through a
scary delivery.
Angelina weighed 4 lbs 3 oz at birth. The doctors said she
was double the weight of a baby born that early. We knew she would be tough
right from that moment. She stayed in the NICU for a month, mostly to gain
weight but had some other slight problems. My husband and I were scared to
death but had faith everyday she would make it home with us soon and we would start our family. We prayed also
for her little friends in the NICU. God bless the nurses at Nassau University
Medical Center. They were fabulous and full of love and care for so many
helpless babies and families.
Angelina came home on Christmas Eve 2006. She was a little
thing…just about 5lbs. I was exhausted and weak and SCARED. Angelina cried a
lot when she got home. Of course we right away thought colic, a fussy baby. Doctors told us she had acid reflux and had
some other digestive problems. As she turned one year old I just sensed something
was different and knew her cries and crawling/talking delays were more than
typical.
Angelina was diagnosed with PDD_NOS at 20 months old. I felt
in my heart the diagnosis was coming but there is nothing to prepare you when
you are finally told for sure. I remember crying and, thinking “oh my god what
will we do? what will happen to her?”. It was a tough time for me and my family.
I took the news really hard. I felt guilty, depressed, angry, lost and
overwhelmed. But we started her right away into Early Intervention. We met an
entire new set of angels when her therapists started coming to the house for
her sessions. They were and are fabulous people. She has come so far in a
couple of years. She is starting to
speak and is just a happy little girl. She still has her challenges every day
but we know there is hope. Hope for a typical life where everyday she’ll get
through hard times like everyone else but more importantly given the chance to
succeed.
I have been through many ups and downs the last 3 years. Honestly
I would not change a thing. I have become a better person through my
experience. I’d like to say I have more patience, faith and belief in life and
people. I don’t think everyone handles these situations the same and I won’t
tell people how to handle it but I have come to an acceptance in my life. I
have accepted that Angelina may be “different” to many but is truly special to
us and she carries more hope and happiness in her heart than most people ever
will.
My hope is to help families deal with a new diagnosis of
Autism. Let them know that others want to help and can. I also hope the world
can become more aware every day about this disorder. The more we know and teach
each other the less scary it is for everyone.
Thank You.
Tina Cardali
4/2010
Special Thanks to:
Every therapist who has worked with Angelina and told her
she “could” do it.
My family and friends for trying to understand even when it
was so hard.
And of course my husband and daughter for making my life
complete.
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