Learning to love my daughter and accept the fact that she would probably never walk on her own was probably the hardest thing I ever had to do.  Finding out that she had brain damage and cerebral palsy was a nightmare that I am still trying to wake up from.

My daughter is five and right now she cannot walk without help.  She uses a walker, but it is unknown at this time whether Karley will ever be an independant walker. 

At first when she was born, Jed (husband) and myself (Keesha) weren't sure whether to keep her or give her up for adoption.  We both felt that we weren't equipped to handle the demands of raising a child with special needs, but as she grew, we found ourselves falling in love with our daughter, and in the long run, she became easier to love.

Happily, Karley can talk; her problems just happen to be more physical more than anything else.  Her mind is intact and has already proven to be a very smart little girl.

Karley was born three months premature, weighing just two pounds and six ounces.  She was also born with brain damage due to being left without oxygen for six minutes, but unlike some people with cerebral palsy, her brain damage isn't as severe.  She is able to talk and make her wants/needs known.  She knows her letters and numbers and is learning her colors and the names/sounds of animals.

We have enrolled her in "early childhood intervention" classes and she has physical (as well as occupational) therapy twice a week.  Her weekends are free; she loves sleeping in, watching anything Disney on the television, playing simple games on the computer, dancing, singing, collecting anyting to do with princesses or fairies, and playing softball on a team for children with disabilities.  She is a very busy young lady; we would not have it any other way!

When she grows up, Karley wants to be a mommy or a teaher.  She also wants to be a singer or an actress. 

Well, I hate to run, but Karley is hungry; she smells the chili cooking on the stove and right now she wants to EAT.  I will write in here again soon; this will not be the last time you will have heard from me, Jed, or Karley!  God bless and may you take care; I'll write in here another time!

~Keesha Washington, Karley's Mamma, Hoboken, New Jersey.  :)