Amber, my pride and joy, was born by caesarian on January 14,1994. I carried Amber the full nine months plus two weeks when my doctor decided to induced labor. Labor was long and difficult due to the fact that Amber was too big to pass through the birth canal. I pushed for an hour before the doctor finally decided to do a c-section. After Amber was born, she was the picture of health; big and beautiful. But when I looked in her face, I noticed that she was going to be my special little baby. On day 3 Amber's breathing was a little faster than normal so when I was released from the hospital, she stayed an extra day for observation. Day 4 Amber came home happy and healthy being enjoyed by all the family. 
At about 15 months, Amber developed this really unusual cough and my mother suggested I take her to the hospital because it didn't sound like a common cold cough. The Texas Children Hospital emergency room doctor ordered x-ray that later showed pneumonia and other problems. A cardiologist, audiologist, genetics and neurosurgeons immediately saw her. After all the evaluations and tests my baby went through, we finally found several things that was wrong with her. Amber did not have pneumonia after all it was lymphocytes and b- cells that had gathered on her lungs. The left side of her heart was pumping hard to work cause of the pressure that was being put on it by the inflamed lungs. She was also seen by oncology because of the low platelets she had in her blood. And doctors also found the Human Parvo virus in her blood stream. With steroid therapy for several weeks and medication for her heart, Amber was healthy again. Amber was diagnosed with Pallister-Killian syndrome at the age of 18months. Amber has had surgery for a displaced anus and in March of 2003 a diaphragmatic Hernia was found. Amber went into surgery for 6 hours the following week and after being diagnosed, recovered dramatically. 
Amber started public school at the age of 3 years. PPCD was the program she entered until she was 5 years old. When Amber turned 5, she entered life skills program. When Amber was 6 months old her doctor at the time said that she would not be able to do anything but lie on her back and look. Amber is now in the 4th grade and doing great thanks to the wonderful teacher Mrs. Jennifer Boudreau and therapists Amanda, Kim and Jennifer Ramey. Amber now feeds herself and drinks out of a cup with assistance. Amber can also take steps in her gate trainer and tolerate sitting for an hour without assistance. Amber is on a regular diet with no restrictions. Amber notices her surroundings and loves to be around other children. She plays by clapping her hands and listening to music. Even though there is a severe hearing loss in her right ear, the left ear only has a mild to moderate loss. Amber has a 13-year-old brother that loves her to death and he is a really big help when it comes to taking care of his sister.
When a couple decides to have a baby neither one expects that baby to be born with any disabilities. Sometimes it happens and when it does we love that baby with everything we got and pretty soon those disabilities disappear. And those of you that have specials little ones in your life know what I am talking about :)

Feel free to contact me about any questions you may have about Amber or special needs children. My email address is: