Delaney is a head strong, determined 4 year old with the sweetest smile you’ve ever seen. She loves going to school and riding the bus like a big kid. She is very active and loves jumping, wrestling, swimming, and sliding. Her poor little brother is often on the receiving end of her head locks and take downs, but he also gets the most hugs and kisses. She also loves to dance and sing! Delaney loves to watch videos on YouTube and cracks up at the funny ones. What I love best about Delaney is how truly loving she is. She’s quick to forgive, she loves to cuddle, and she loves to make others happy.

I really don’t have a problem with any questions because I would rather someone feel comfortable asking me whatever than to avoid me because they weren’t sure what to say. People usually mean well. It’s sometimes easy to forget that we weren’t always the experts we are now on this diagnosis, or people first language, etc.

I think the most important thing you can do is to get connected with other moms. You need that support system. You need people who have been there before, and also those that are going through the same stages that you are.

I hope they think, “What a beautiful little girl. Look how much her parents and brother love her. What a lucky family.”

I really appreciate when people feel comfortable asking tough questions and letting you give tough answers. I don’t want to feel like I have to sugarcoat everything, even though that would certainly be easier. Something that is really important to me is that people don’t take for granted the amount of work, time, thought, stress, etc that we put in to help Delaney be her best. I think some people just assume that she learns things at the same time or speed a typical child does. They don’t consider the hours we all put in (us, her therapists, and most of all Delaney) to achieve the same results. It really is a full time commitment, but the pay off is so amazing. I am in awe of all that Delaney has taken on and everything she has accomplished.