A child weighing just 10 ounces at birth continues to defy the odds.
She is a very pretty little thing, with long, thick bright-red curls cascading down her back like a fiery waterfall, a round, freckled face, and sparkling brown eyes that miss very little. She has a smile that can light up the room, and a personality to match.
But little Tegan Michelle Rawlings has had to overcome much in her four years on this earth. She was born at five months, weighing just 10 ounces at birth, and not expected to survive her birth. She battled one medical crisis after another, but emerged virtually unscathed; but she has some lasting marks of her earlier than normal birth: at the age of four, Tegan is noticeably smaller than most kids her age (at the age of four, she looks no older than three), with a slight build, and braces on her little legs. She walks with the aid of forearm crutches, but she is very skilled at her ability to walk, and nothing, not even an occasional fall, slows her down. She has cerebral palsy, which was diagnosed at the age of one year, but she has refused to let the effects of disability hamper her life. She is a very active little girl, and she loves life; and life loves her back.
Tegan is the youngest child of Norman and Robin Rawlings. She has twin older brothers, Timothy Daly and Thomas (Tommy) Dawson, who are six, as well as three older sisters named Teal Grace (eight), Tamantha Eloise (ten), and Torie Gisella (twelve); and she is the apple of her family's eye. She is spoiled rotten, and she knows it; but she is still considered to be a good kid who causes her family little in the way of trouble or worry. She is very fearless and competitive in nature, and people are always amazed at her willingness to try new things or her courage.
Tegan loves many things, including pizza, ice cream (chocolate is Number One with her), cookies, and watching "Sesame Street", "The Berenstein Bears", and "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" on public television, and she also loves learning to write and read. She is due to start pre-kindergarten classes in the coming weeks, and she is very excited at the promise of new adventures and new friends that will soon be hers. She is looking forward to starting school, and she is looking forward to getting to use her new crayons, paper, kid-friendly scissors, and pencils. She is also looking forward to swinging on the swings and going down the slide at the playground during recess. She also loves going to church with her family every week and learning about Jesus; and singing her favorite song, "Jesus Loves Me".
It is hard to believe that a child weighing less than a can of soda pop has survived, but Tegan is no ordinary child. She is a living little Miracle, and to her and her family, each and every day is nothing but a huge blessing from God!
Want to review or comment on this short story?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviewed by Karen Chalfant
9/6/2004
Fantastic story, Karen! And it's obvious your heart is in it. ALL things are possible with God but you know that don't you?
Karen
Excellent write as always
My Mom read an article in the paper the other day about a young girl who survived and only weighed nine ounces at birth, she is in highschool now and is doing well...She is small for her age and has asthma but everyone agrees that it is a miracle
God Bless
Michelle
You continue to explore the impossible and make it possible Karen!;-)
Fine work!
Reviewed by Kate Clifford
8/21/2004
I have known a few people that were born so small and not expected to live. One thing they all have in comman is a zest for life. They are stronger then most people I know and usually are the most optimistic. I think we could all learn from their actions. Great write!
GLIMPSE OF AN ANGEL IS NOW AVAILABLE. A PORTION OF ALL SALES WILL GO TO HOSPICE TO THUS ENABLE THEM TO HELP OTHERS WHO ARE SOON TO PASS TO THE OTHER SIDE. NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
She is a very pretty little thing, with long, thick bright-red curls cascading down her back like a fiery waterfall, a round, freckled face, and sparkling brown eyes that miss very little. She has a smile that can light up the room, and a personality to match.
