Stories

Dear Baby,

You are growing inside of me. I don’t know if you are a girl or boy but I know I love you more than I will ever be able to show. I have all of these plans for us and memories that we will make. I’m dreaming of looking into your eyes and you smiling at me and hearing you say “I love you mommy.” Don’t rush to come out, stay in your cocoon. Mommy will be here and loves you to the moon and back.

Dear Chloe,

I just got your diagnosis and my world fell apart. All the dreams and things I had planned for us are gone. I don’t know how to feel or think about you having Angelman Syndrome. The doctor said that you would never walk, talk, have severe cognitive delay, health issues and they don’t know what your quality of life will be. I look at you and you are perfect to me and you are unaware of all of this as you sit on my lap and play with your binky. I want us to stay in our own world so that you can never be hurt. I don’t want people to think of you as “less than.” I am angry for all of the hardships you will have to endure and how I feel that I will not be able to protect you. I am sorry that I failed you, I wish mommy could fix it but all I can do is give you all of the love I have.

Dear Chloe,

You are mischievous, stubborn, with plenty of attitude and a beautiful smile. You love to run, jump and play with your hamster. When you say “mom” I melt inside and know that you have overcome so much and have shown the doctors what is possible. You can be loud at times when we are out shopping and people look at us funny but you love to laugh which makes others smile with you. You don’t let others define you by your diagnosis, you let them know you are “Chloe, and I am a force to be reckoned with.” You are an inspiration to never give up and the sky is not the limit. I am blessed to have you as my daughter and all the love you give to all of us.

By Chloe’s mom, Latrieva