| If you have a child who has been diagnosed with a | | | | someone to talk to about your feelings of anger, |
| serious birth disorder, this is an extremely trying time | | | | hurt, guilt and loss. You may be able to get the |
| in your life. You have many challenges ahead of you, | | | | emotional help you need from a friend or relative, or |
| both physical and emotional. Right now you are | | | | you may need to speak to a professional. You may |
| probably on an emotional roller coaster ride, and are | | | | also need physical help caring for this child, depending |
| having difficulty just getting through the day. Here | | | | upon the extent of the disorder. Your pediatrician |
| are some tips that will hopefully help you deal with | | | | should be able to help you locate special services if |
| the adjustments in your life. | | | | you require them. |
| Learn all that you can about your child?s disorder | | | | Expect other people to be uncomfortable |
| It?s going to be painful to hear the details, but | | | | It?s not your problem, but you have to deal with it. |
| knowledge is power. You can cope better with that | | | | Other people don?t know what to say. You can |
| which you understand, so learn as much as possible. | | | | make things easier on yourself by breaking the ice |
| If your child?s birth disorder is one that has a | | | | with these people. It may seem like something you |
| nationally recognized foundation, like Down syndrome, | | | | shouldn?t have to do, but to get your friendships |
| contact them. They can be a wealth of knowledge | | | | back to normal as quickly as possible, you may want |
| and support. | | | | to take it upon yourself to contact your friends and |
| Give yourself permission to grieve | | | | try to make them feel comfortable. Fortunately, |
| This is not what you expected, and you need to | | | | some people will be by your side no matter what, |
| mourn the perfect, healthy baby you planned. Only | | | | and you can rely on them to get you through the |
| when you have had ample time to mourn this loss, | | | | first few weeks. |
| will you truly be able to accept and love your child | | | | Having a child with a birth disorder may well be the |
| the way she is. | | | | biggest challenge you ever face. Know that help is |
| Get help | | | | available, and take the steps necessary to find the |
| You need physical and emotional help right now. Find | | | | right services and support you and your family needs. |