Luck of the Irish

I've never won any prizes in a raffle, trips to exotic locations or even a silly radio contest in my younger years.  I definitely would not use the term lucky to describe my "life" if you asked me 3 years ago.  

Some who have learned of our journey, heard some of our stories, or read slices of this blog since Cameron was born, probably wouldn't use the term luck when describing the twists and turns of the last 6.5 years either.

Some might say there have been times when we have been down right unlucky, that some would include myself.  

But today, and really the last 3 months, I've felt lucky and overjoyed at the progress Cameron has made since our last surgery in June.  It has been so long since I could breath a true sigh of relief or go to bed without one ear open.  I truly forgot how good it feels to have a child seemingly not on the brink of a trip to the ER every other day.   

We've started making plans again, we've started living again.   While I know it could all be ripped away from us in an instant with one headache, gait change or vomiting episode.  Going 6 months without ANY of these signs, well that has not happened since 2010, so to get 6 months of "good"! Yeah, we are pretty darn lucky. 

Today, I met a sweet little red headed 2.5 year old boy named Declan Keddy, who like Cameron, has Hydrocephalus and a host of other conditions, also like Cameron.  But Declan is different from Cameron, you see Declan was born at 24 weeks.  Can you imagine?  24 weeks.

As a result he has had quite a full life in his short time, he is the definition of a fighter.  His mother, Stephanie and father, Tom shared how Declan has therapy Monday thru Saturday, each week, sometimes twice a day.  You name it and he has therapy for it - swallowing, vision, physical and the list goes on. He's had 10 surgeries, many hospitalizations and struggles to do so many things we all take for granted like swallow, hear and sit up.

Today I watched as Declan worked his way around his home, lying on his back, he could get just about anywhere he wished.  He loved staring at himself in the frog mirror tapping his hand along side, he cuddled his mom and dad, drew strength from their strength as they helped pull him up from lying down, and he waved good bye as I walked out the door.  

Walking down the stairs to my car, I felt lucky in so many, many ways.  Most obviously for the life Cameron has led thus far.  I know he will always have struggles, and a need for life long medical care, but he is very fortunate to have many strengths.  He is fortunate to have made it to 32 weeks. 

What made me feel really lucky?…It is because of Cameron’s life that we are able to help make Declan’s future and care maybe, just maybe, a little easier. 

Declan Keddy is the 2013 Cameron Can Foundation grant recipient. The board could not have chosen a more deserving child.  The Cameron Can Foundation came to be because of some pretty spectacular friends who saw a need an answered it for Cameron, and our family. Yes, we are lucky. 

So on a day when you are feeling down, frustrated or tired.  Remember there are so many children like Declan, Maureen & Cameron who work so hard to do what comes so easily to most.  They are in your neighborhoods, in your classrooms, in your past and in your future. I bet if you asked any of these children if they were lucky, the answer would be yes.  

I hope you’ll consider joining us on March 14th for Cameron Rocks On 2013,  we will celebrate and help a boy with true IRISH heart, Declan Finn Keddy.  You’ll instantly feel good about yourself to know that you did something to help a child in need. I can guarantee it, plus it's a really great party! 

I’m so excited to see our promise to pay it forward, and help other children like Cameron, becoming a reality.  Lucky, lucky, lucky I tell you!  

Remember everyone is lucky, even if you have to think hard about it, you’ll find the luck of the Irish.