I have a son, Kendrik Miguel, who is the light of my life.

Kendrik is the youngest of five in our family.  In addition to Kendrik, we have Isabella Graciela (14), Alicia Mariposa (11), Paloma Blanca (9), and Ycera Maria (6).  Kendrik is three, our only boy.

Unfortunately, Kendrik was born with significant problems that affect just about every area of his life.  He was born with brain damage and cerebral palsy that have rendered him wheelchair-bound and unable to speak; however, those great big dark brown eyes of his speak volumes. 

He is very good at communicating, either with facial expressions or vocal inflections, or with his word board, which is his way of "speaking".

Doctors weren't sure at the beginning whether our son would survive.  He came into this world weighing only 10 1/2 ounces, less than a can of soda pop.  He was unbelievably tiny.  He spent six months in the hospital, five in the NICU. 

We're still paying on that bill; we still have a ways to go before it's all paid off.

Kendrik did beat the odds; he continues to do so to this day.  Doctors are amazed at his courage, his will to live.  He is our miracle-boy; always will be.

People often feel sorry for us whenever they see Kendrik sitting in his green wheelchair or hear his noises or see his palsied limbs.  It's their problem, not ours.

We see Kendrik not as being disabled; it doesn't matter.  He is not his disability.  He is our son.  Period.  I want other people to look at him as we do; maybe then the world would be more accepting of children like ours.

This is the message we want to send.

Kendrik goes to a pre-school for children with special needs; he is one of the most popular kids there.  The teachers, the other children, absolutely adore him.  I can see why.
 
Kendrik is a little bundle of personality; he has the sweetest disposition!  We are all so proud at how far he's come.  I am sure we will have plenty more opportunities to be proud of him, no matter what he does!

One of our dearest wishes is for Kendrick to be able to talk full sentences, or utter words.  Being a parent, think you'll understand that you want to hear your child say, "I love you."  You want to hear it.

Even if he doesn't, he still can communicate, as I said, with his vocalizations, his eyes.  Now that he has a word board, we're waiting for the day when we tell him to "Hush!  You talk too much!"  LOL

Kendrick is proving to be a very smart little guy. 

Well, I will go for now; Kendrik isn't feeling too good.  He has an ear infection.  Poor little man.  He must be in terrible pain!  I will tend to him; until later, this is ...

Octavia. :)