We knew when we accepted permanent custody of Doogie (three weeks short of his fourth birthday) that Doogie had a prognosis of possible blindness in addition to his cerebral palsy. In time we 'forgot' about the vision problems though he needed stronger glasses every six months. The road to blindness began in March 2002 when his left retina detached the first time and was concluded July 28th, 2003 when the second attempt to reattach his right retina was undertaken and successfully reattached. However, scar tissue again grew which, not only obscured his vision, but caused another detachment. Each time, every surgery, the risk was there for 'other complications' including, but not limited to, death. We are SO happy that Doogie isn't having headaches and sharp pain in his eyes anymore. He's blind but otherwise healthy. We are SO lucky to have such a fabulous young man in our lives! We haven't given up but we're not risking his life in exchange for vision. If technology becomes available, we'll look into it and the risk it involves. Love doesn't require a perfect body:)!

The waiting is over;
we laugh more than we cry.
There’s more to all children
innocently they sigh . . .
as they help us get by.

The horror was waiting
till the day blindness came.
My child is still smiling
though he walks with a cane.
He’s loving life . . . it’s plain!

His friends gather, noisy,
curious. “What happened?”
My child is still their friend.
“Does it hurt?” Their lips flappin’.
He dotes on their ‘yappin’."

He wanders outside, plays,
as if nothing is new
though he looks at the world
with a blind person’s view.
There’s nothing we can do

except be there with him
when times become harsh, hard.
Thank God that’s he healthy.
Hear him laugh in our yard?
In this sequel he stars!

The waiting is over;
we laugh more than we cry.
Surgery is stressful . . .
we feared that he would die,
let tears slide from our eye.

The horror was waiting.



**Doogie was wearing a size 18 months, in diapers and unable to make a complete sentence when we got custody. He was severely malnourished, dehydrated and unable to keep most food down. His dietary needs and therapy--speech, fine motor, large motor and mental health--were a HUGE change; one each every week for three years! (In addition to numerous health problems, he was mentally/emotionally at the age of two. He's since caught up in almost all ways but is still a tad shy :)!