10 things I love AND hate about CP!

Doing something a little different today. It is Cerebral Palsy awareness month and I thought I would entertain some people.

10 Things I LOVE about CP
1. I love the special bond I have with my son. It is very unique. We are very close to each other, sometimes too close :)
2. I love that my son still asks for hugs and kisses at 8 years old as his sisters run off to play without them. He loudly exclaims "mom I want another hug and kiss"
3. I love that having a child with CP has made me a stronger person even though I don't realize it at times. It hits me every now and then like when I can atually get some sleep the night before a surgery.
4. I love that CP has made his sisters oblivious to disabilities. In our house they pretend to army crawl or collapse their legs when you lift them and say with a smile "I'm like Bren" and in an odd way it is humorous to us.
5. I love that my son could care less that he has CP.
6. I love how much I can appreciate the smallest milestones. Milestones melt my heart even when my typical children reach them.
7. I love that I had to quit my job to stay home with my children because there wasn't an after school program for my son due to his disability. Hey there are perks! :)
8. I love that everyone falls in love with my son!
9. I hate the arm muscles carrying around an 8 year old boy with CP has given me. OH Wait I am still on what I love! I guess I love that I can still lift him even though he is 1/3 of my body weight.
10. I love that I was chosen to be a mother to a child with ceberal palsy because I have realized only those who can handle it our chosen. I have chosen to love him more than anything in the world and make his life the best that I can!

10 Things I HATE about CP
1. I hate watching my son be in pain.
2. I hate the fact we have been through 7 surgeries and over 8 procedures and the fact we will have to go through many many more.
3. I hate the amount of time we have spent at therapy and doctor's appointments. Some can last all day long. He has 10 appointments this month alone!
4. I hate that we are limited as a family to what we can do. Sometimes it is too exhausting to do the things we want especially on my own with the three kids.
5. I hate when I have to strap on his ridiculous leg braces at bedtime. I could never sleep with those things on and do not understand how he does it?!
6. I hate that I cry a lot for my son and what he goes through.
7. I hate the grey hairs and wrinkles I have received prematurely due to the amount of stress CP has put on me.
8. I hate that I know Brendan's CP could have been prevented if I wasn't in that hospital with that Dr on a Holiday when he decided to come 7 weeks early. It is a hard thing to get past but I am getting there.
9. I hate that due to Brendan's CP he probably won't be able to drive. He is obsessed with cars, go carts basically any moving vehicle and constantly talks about getting his license and driving. I do not have the heart to tell him he most likely won't be able to drive. This actually brings tears to my eyes as I write it. :'(
10. I hate that CP exhausts me mentally and physically. I hate that one day I may not be able to lift my child. I hate what CP does to his body BUT I love this boy more than life itself!