Amaya Desiree' is our joy.  We cannot imagine life without her.

Amaya was born with her umbilical cord wrapped twice around her neck.  As a result, she went without oxygen and sustained brain damage that left her unable to walk, talk, see, or feed herself.  She requires care twenty-four/seven.

Yet with all of her disabilities, Amaya is as beautiful as they come.  She has long, curly dark-brown hair that tumbles to her rear-end in a mass of shiny, thick curls, huge brown eyes fringed with ridiculously-long lashes, a tiny snub nose, and a smile that can light up the room.  She loves people and she loves people cuddling with her or reading to her.  As long as people are paying attention to her, then she's happy.  Deliriously happy.

We were devasted at first when we found out that Amaya would be severely handicapped, but we then decided to do all we could to help our child.  We haven't looked back.  It isn't easy at times, but God sees us through each and every trial, and Amaya has a wide circle of friends who love and support her just as much as we do.

Amaya goes to a school for children who are disabled.  She is one of the most popular ones in her class.  Everyone who sees her or knows her adores her.  And she loves people right back.  If there is one thing she can do well, it is to be loved and to give love right back.

Amaya is our youngest.  We also have a son, Garrett, who is nine.  Garrett would defend her sister if his life depended on it.  They are extremely close and when she is sick and/or in the hospital, he is so lost.  We feel so bad for him!

Well, I hate to go, but I'm cooking lunch, and I don't want it to get burned.  I will run along for now; I will write more about our family (Amaya especially) later.  Until then, this is Grace Leeds saying so long and may God bless you!

~Love, Grace, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.