A mother writes about her young daughter, Raunaee', who was born with multiple disabilities.
My daughter, Raunaee' (pronounced "Row-nay") Grace, was born a child with significant special needs. She is eight years old, and she's had to struggle with her health since her birth.
Raunaee' was born with severe brain damage that's left her with the capabilities of an infant: she cannot do much for herself; we have to take care of her basic needs: toilet, feeding (she's fed by a gastrostomy tube in her belly), dressing/undressing, bathing, making sure she is comfortable: not too warm, not too cold. She's also legally blind and doesn't speak.
Yet she communicates very well: her eyes are her communications device. She can let you know how she is feeling, and she is able to follow simple commands ("Yes", "No", a few other words). She can feel emotion: joy, sadness, anger (though she is not an angry child), frustration, confusion, and embarrassment. She has her way of making her needs known; it just takes time for most people to figure out what she is tryiing to convey.
Raunaee' cannot walk (she's in a wheelchair when up), and she has to be strapped into her chair because she doesn't have the strength to sit up on her own. Her wheelchair is bright purple, and it is her mode of transportation. Her body is thin, and she is as light as a feather: at the age of eight, Raunaee' doesn't weigh more than 30 pounds soaking wet; she's really light.
Raunaee' is a beautiful child with long brown hair, big, brown eyes, a killer smile, and a love inside of her that exudes from her body. She loves people, and she loves being the center the attention. The more people are visiting with her, the happier she is. She doesn't like to be by herself.
Raunaee', even with all her limitations, is like most kids her age: she loves to listen to music (rock and roll being her music of choice), watch tv (she loves the cartoons on tv; she also loves weathermen or watching the weather; I guess the maps fascinate her, I don't know), go to the zoo or amusement park, go to church, swim (with assistance; she's in an exercise program for children with special needs; she goes twice a week, and she loves it!), and go out to eat.
Of course, people get uncomfortable when they see Raunaee' out in public, but we try to take it in stride and enjoy her as much as we possibly can.
Because of her inability to swallow, Raunaee' is prone to pneumonia or any other serious respiratory infection. She is often in the hospital; during any given year she can be hospitalized anywhere from four to seven times a year, oftentimes more often than that. It's always a stressful time when Raunaee' gets sick because we don't know if she is going to pull through her latest medical crisis.
Raunaee' goes to regular school, but she is in a class for children with severe special needs. She has an aide who can help her in case any problems should happen to develop, and she loves interacting with the other children. Raunaee' is very popular, and everyone loves her.
Yes, our Raunaee' is a miracle; it is only by the grace of God that He's allowed to live this long. She is everything to us--and more, much more.
~Written by her mother, Doris Grace Deveneaux, Lake Charles, Louisiana.
I don't know why people would feel uncomfortable when seeing Raunaee, she seems a lovely little girl whose smile should push away any other thoughts.
Georg
I love your story telling abilities, dont give up, keep writing what comes from your heart, as I know you will, I picked you and Karla up a little Christmas present today, its not much, but I wanted you to know I was thinking about you
God Bless
Michelle~
I love the way you spelled Raunaee's name! How original! How pretty!
And what a beautiful little girl you introduce us too: despite outward appearances, she has more life, more happiness, than many able bodied people do! Well done! You are the voice for the disabled: keep telling their heartwarming stories! Much more of this is needed in today's market: the disabled as heroes, as the central character! BRAVA!
There are indeed a lot of disabled children who are in Raunee's place, but they can still live happily and have a happy childhood, go the regular school, because of the caring parents.
Re-Release! No longer back-listed. Return to the Olde Ways. The hustle and bustle of modern day life has brought many of us to a quick fix attitude.This book is for those of you who are fed up; have looked at your life and your loved ones and realize
