Fortitude
Everyone has a story of Fortitude! When we tell our stories of pain in adversity - stories of courage, redemption and hope - we give others permission to speak up and get the help they need. Each episode will give the listener a look inside what overcoming adversity looks like no matter what life throws at you. Each story is uniquely different - stories of alcoholism/addiction, infidelity, rape, abuse, loss of a child/children, cancer, rare disease, tragic accidents...etc.! We are in this life together to support one another and build community around hope and redemption. I am your host, Heather Kittelson, and I am so excited to have you here as part of the Fortitude community!
Fortitude
#25: Desiree Schmidt - 'Inclusion for Sawyer' - Son w/Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy
To donate - Inclusion For Sawyer - http://spot.fund/j59x5sc
YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/Gry24a5hows
Desiree Schmidt had the perfect pregnancy. She was 1 week overdue when she went into labor and everything from that point spiraling out of control for her and baby Sawyer. This amazing women has gone through more than any single mama should ever go through.
Her son, Sawyer is now 7yr. He has Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy due to a traumatic birth. He suffered from lack of oxygen for an extended amount of time during birth, which resulted in a severe brain injury. He was not supposed to live past his first week of life, but Desiree and her family has been blessed to spend the last 7 years with him.
Sawyer has an extensive list of diagnoses, requires 20 different medications daily, relies on several different machines & equipment to keep him alive and healthy and is completely dependent on his parents for every single aspect of his care. He requires round the clock care and it is certainly tiring & challenging many days, but Desiree is truly blessed beyond measure to have him here and be the one who get to love and care for him daily - he is truly such a miracle and gift.
In this episode we touch on so many topics around caring for a disabled loved one, how we as a society can better wrap our arms around families like Desiree & Sawyer and how we need to get more curious and ask the right questions when faced with beautiful 'differences.'
Desiree's FB: https://www.facebook.com/desiree.nelson.900
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