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Miracle Boy

2/20/2013

8 Comments

 
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Like most pregnant women, I thought having my first child would simple and uneventful. Never mind I was so huge that cows (in the pasture behind my house) mistook me for a herd member, the toilet and I had a very cozy relationship, and my ankles vanished at the beginning of the second trimester.


I was induced at nine months, one week, and then the real fun began. After 48 hours of non-productive labor, my Ob-Gyn entered the room and announced he was performing a C-section because "it is Friday, 5 o'clock PM", and he had an appointment with the golf course. Nice, huh? He also said, rather casually, that according to the monitor, my unborn child's heart rate had began to drop.


Had I been a tad more knowledgeable, and a little older, I would've screamed malpractice faster than the good doc could swing that blasted golf club.


As a result of the stress he endured just by being born, my dear baby boy began having grand mal seizures when he was two years old,  gross/fine motor skills were almost non-existent, and there was a delay in speech in learning.

Jonathan was enrolled in ECI (Early Childhood Intervention), and even though he improved, there were some acquaintances who advised me "not to expect too much from a special needs child". Wonderful how supportive some people can be, huh?


My son didn't get that memo, because he's overcome so many obstacles. My complete story about him is Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children With Special Needs. I could go on and about his accomplishments, but instead you can read a little about Jonathan here, his story, written in his own words (freshman orientation paper).

8 Comments
Arwen Lynch, Professional Joy Seeker link
2/20/2013 12:45:48 pm

Jonathan's paper moved me. I think his watermelon analogy was priceless. Good for him and good for you.

Reply
Debbie Roppolo
2/20/2013 06:45:08 pm

Thank you so much, Arwen!

Reply
Carolina HeartStrings link
2/20/2013 10:38:51 pm

Wow. What a great story and paper by your son. Kudos to him & you. Rang a lot of bells. My 15 yo autistic son is in Air Force JROTC. It is helpful but he is not capable of participating at a high level in many of the activities. Still it is encouraging to read of others that have overcome obstacles and to read it first hand from your son.

Reply
Debbie Roppolo
2/20/2013 11:31:48 pm

Thanks! That's a great idea to put your son in ROTC! We'll probably do the same with my younger boy when he enters high school. Right now he's on a soccer team with other special needs kiddos, and they're amazing. :o) Joseph stims a lot (flapping) but he loves it.

Reply
Melinda link
2/20/2013 11:21:19 pm

Our sons have something in common -- my son wins 4H Photography competitions, too. Encouraging post. Your son's essay is amazing!

Reply
Debbie Roppolo
2/20/2013 11:32:58 pm

Congrats to your son! I'd love to see his photos someday. :o) Thanks for the compliment!

Reply
Leslie Jeansonne link
2/21/2013 07:10:52 am

Bravo to Jonathan. May he sow many more watermelons. What a wonderful story.

Reply
Debbie Roppolo
2/21/2013 07:05:43 pm

Thank you, Leslie!

Reply



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    A little info about me...

     Award-winning  author (and sometimes illustrator) Debbie Roppolo grew up in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas, where miles of grassland and her horse stimulated very imaginative adventures and served as writing fodder for later years. She had to do something with those memories; having tea parties with chickens was too good to keep to herself.

         She has written for several of the Chicken Soup books in addition to various magazines and newspapers. Her children’s book titles include: Amelia Frump and her Peanut Butter-Loving, Overactive Imagination; Amelia Frump…is Cooking Up a Peanut Butter Storm (award-winning activity/cookbook);  and He’s My Brother.

          Shortly after beginning her own family, Roppolo discovered the reason why her mother turned prematurely gray, and that a cell phone, toilets and toddler make a poor combination. Rather than sitting in a corner, whimpering, and eating her weight in chocolate, Roppolo wrote her first parenting humor book, The Toilet is Overflowing and the Dog is Wearing My Underwear, that was based on her family’s antics. 

          After her younger son was diagnosed with autism, Roppolo and her husband co-founded Central Texas Autism Network, a network for persons who may have a relative or friend diagnosed with Autism, or professional that may deal with Autistic persons. She serves as an advocate for people with autism through her writing, by speaking to groups, and spreading awareness as various health-related functions.

         Cooking is her second passion, and Roppolo holds the honor of being an eight-time award-winning baker.

         Married for over twenty-four years, she resides in the Texas Hill Country with her husband and two children.

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