I remember when my sister found out that her son had a special condition. Her case was a little bit more extraordinary because her son was diagnosed a month or so after birth with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and the doctors said that he probably won’t make it to his 2nd birthday. So when new tests revealed that he had another condition instead, we were quite relieved – and still a bit desperate at the same time. I think, though, that no matter what condition your child gets diagnosed with, the effect is rather the same – it can never be easy. So I’d like to share with you some thoughts to consider when you child gets diagnosed.
Get a second opinion
I think this is one of the most common things that parents do when they get feedback from their physicians. It is not that you do not have confidence in your doctor, it’s just that this is not a simple matter. Some tests are more definitive than others, while others also depend on the interpretation and judgment of the doctor. If you feel the need for a second opinion, then do not hesitate to do so. In the end, that will be your decision.
Give yourself time for the reality to sink in
This might take some time but do let yourself mourn. It is part of the process. Parents dream of nothing but a good life for their children and getting diagnosed with something special is definitely not part of that dream. Giving yourself time to mourn does not mean that you are giving up on your child or his chances of having a fulfilling life. It simply means that you need to accept the turn of events before you can move on and deal with the situation accordingly.
Originally posted on February 7, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
