It's because we are hurting. We can't not do anything... When our child is sick, and there's no cookie cutter storyline to go with it... When we don't know what answers will show up every 6 months... When we feel so helpless that there is no easy cure or even a cure at all... We get busy. We need to DO something. And because of the fact that we need to stay functional for our babies, we put our pain into something good.
Monique Rios - a woman who has been my role model since the beginning of my son's life... She has children who have been through things most of us will never ever experience in our lives - yet she has given so much of herself to not only the heart world, but to many sick children and their families. Annual Christmas parties for CHLA and the Ronald McDonald House... You inspire me to no end, Monique.
Tiffany Hernandez - you never cease to amaze me. Every year you put together Brooklyn's Blessings in honor of her daughter, giving gifts to sick children... and at any given moment you are helping someone else. Your giving heart is incredible.
Just two examples of organized events that are put on by mothers suffering the most awful pain - seeing their children hurt.
The advice/experiences that Amy Bennett and Jessica Alleman share... You ladies are also my role models. It's so difficult to be delivering news that is incomprehensible to most, yet here you are. Leading the way for many heart moms to come. The raw and awful reality of what CHD is needs to be heard and understood. I just want to thank you for opening the door to the many people who read your blogs and see what you live.
Joanna Joshua... You are an incredible woman... Fighting against the system for your sweet little girl. You are her voice. I look up to you in all that you do, pushing on and not giving up. Your fight has inspired others to stand beside you and get children the health care that they deserve.
The women listed are just a small handful of so many amazing mothers who chose not to give up, and decided to do good, as hard as it is, for the sake of their kids and many families of sick children...
We will not be defeated. Illness and disease will not rob our souls or our hope. Together, we can use our tragedies to push forward and make a positive difference for those who need it.
