A continuation of part one. (This story wasn't supposed to be a two-parter, but it ended up being that way.) Anyway, I hope you like this addition to the story!
The first part is sad; and I wanted to make the second part more positive. I am trying not to write so much about the disability (I need to work more on developing Johnny instead of focusing on his problems), but with a child like Johnny, a child living with an illness that is terminal, this is oftentimes very hard to do. Still, I wanted to you to see that no matter what Johnny may face in his life, he is still a very happy-go-lucky kid, and all he wants more than anything is to enjoy his life while he still can and not think so much about his problems, even though they are a daily part of his life.
~Karen Lynn (Author).
As I was saying in Part One, my son has overcome many great odds in his young life, and unless you know my son, you can't possibly imagine what he has had to face in his life. It doesn't seem fair that one child has to suffer so much grief or hardship in his life, but Johnny has done exactly that, and yet, he remains ever optimistic, ever hopeful, and he has such a happy way about himself it is unreal.
Johnny has had everything from a mild stroke (he had one when he was in a coma during the first time he had meningitis; people don't know this, but I am sharing this with you now; this is one reason why he is weaker on the one side of his body) to unending seizures (medically known as "status epilepticus"; the last time he had this, it scared the living hell out of all of us, and for a while, we didn't think he was going to pull through, but he did!), everything from a heart attack (on three different occasions!) to burns he suffered when he had a high fever (again during the time when he first had meningitis; the fever literally cooked his brain, and he still carries scars on his head, which are covered by his hair; the fever caused his skin to develop blisters and to break and bleed, and he was in grave danger of dying; his fever went up all the way to 107 degrees, which is extremely dangerous for ANYONE, let alone, a very young child!), and so much more. Yet he goes on, and he manages to overcome each crisis he faces with the tenacity and stamina of an Olympic champion, but we are wondering just how long this will last. One of these days his body is going to break from all the stresses it's been under, and we are waiting for that other perverbial shoe to drop.
People think that one person can't possibly function normally after suffering so much heartache in his life, but Johnny has flourished quite well in all that he has faced, and he never ceases to amaze. He is a lot more capable than people realize, and he above all else, he is SMART and ABLE to do things for himself. Now, it MAY take him longer to do things (thanks in light to not only his muscular dystrophy, but he is also visually impaired, and he doesn't see all that well), but he WILL get things done if one gives him the opportunity! He is NOT stupid, and he IS able to do so much for himself. Now, he DOES need more help than he used to, but he is still able to do SOME things for himself, and if he needs help, he'll ask for our help, but NOT before!
People sometimes think that I am using our son to gain sympathy because he IS severely disabled, plus he IS terminally ill, but the truth is I am NOT. I am just telling you what my son has had to go through, and also, he is a lot better off than are a lot of people. He is happy-natured, loves to laugh, is a whiz at video or computer games, is doing so much better in school than he used to (thanks to Sylvan; thank GOD for people like the caring and sympathetic teachers in the Sylvan program!), and he shines with Christian faith in all that he does. When people see our son, they see the love and compassion in his eyes (and on his face), and all of a sudden they realize that this little guy is special in more than one way, and they are always amazed when they hear him speak about his life or hear his story.
As his father, I have seen many highs (and many lows) in Johnny's life, and life with him has been far from dull or boring. Life with Johnny has been full of unexpected twists and turns, and life with Johnny has been nothing but one grand adventure after another! I am proud of all his accomplishments he has had in his young life, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that there will, undoubtedly, be many more. There will also be more time for heartache and/or sadness for Johnny, but if I know my son (and I DO!), I know he will face his challenges with the grace and courage that I have come to expect out of him, and I know that he will succeed and come out on top. He is a very good and caring little boy, and he has certainly taught ME a thing or two about what it means to be a winner in life, even when life is less than kind.
I wish ALL parents could meet my son, Johnny. Johnny is an amazing little kid, and he has certainly enriched all our lives..and the lives of others. If people say that there is no God, all they have to do is see the young face of my son, Johnny, because Johnny IS living proof that there IS a God, and God has performed quite a few Miracles in his life, and it is because OF God that my son still lives and continues to battle and beat the odds today!
I second Karla, this is one hell of a story, the end so positive, well, that's my girl in a nutshell...always so positive and brimming with hope and compassion...Keep up the good work, Karen!
Safi
(((karen *almost wrote johnny...thank God for backspace buttons LOL*)))
powerful continuation of the letter, loved it (especially the introduction)--well written, you are so damn good at this! how many stories now...1000??? :) nearly that many, i'm sure LOL
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
Spoken Word
This CD will touch the deepest inner part of your humanness and spirit, you will never be the same after listening to the depths of struggle, the reality of life, the touching voice of truth. It will shock you, move you to tears. It w
As I was saying in Part One, my son has overcome many great odds in his young life, and unless you know my son, you can't possibly imagine what he has had to face in his life. It doesn't seem fair that one child has to suffer so much grief or hardship in his life, but Johnny has done exactly that, and yet, he remains ever optimistic, ever hopeful, and he has such a happy way about himself it is unreal.
