Parenting and Kids

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Rubber Band Girl: A Mother’s Memoir

Rubber Band Girl Book Cover

Book Cover

Rubber Band Girl A Mother’s Memoir by Jennifer Nielson is a heartwarming book relating Jennifer’s experience with her daughter Hadley who suffers from Marfan Syndrome.

For those who haven’t heard about the Marfan Syndrome, Jennifer lists it in her book as , a genetic disorder of the connective tissues that results in weak ligaments. Marfan Syndrome is also called the “rubber band disease,” because its most visible symptoms are extreme height, excessively long limbs, and overly stretchable ligaments; but, the disease affects the entire function of the body, impacting the heart, eyes, back, and skin most severely.

It was devastating when her daughter was given that diagnosis. She felt as if her whole world had collapsed upon her as her daughter wouldn’t be able to pursue her  dream of being a WNBA player as all physical activity had to be stopped due to her condition.

In the book Jennifer recalls the difficult times which she had gone through with Harley from the time she was born and how with her fighting spirit the both of them have managed to overcome the odds of a carjacking and a death defying car accident  among other trying moments that they had  during her childhood.

Despite her illness Hadley championed a fundraiser and managed to come up with an astonishing amount of money to support other fellow sufferers of Marfan Syndrome through Hadley’s “Vision”.  She and her family also helped support an orphanage through their donation drive.

My thoughts

Harley is one amazing girl with an extremely positive outlook of life.  Even with the numerous eye operations, medical and complications due to the syndrome Hadley managed to live almost normal life. She managed to overcome her disability and in the end made it to WNBA. It only shows that dreams do come true if you believe it and work hard for it.

 

Grab your copy of  Rubber Band Girl A Mother’s Memoir from Amazon today.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own. This post has a compensation level of 3. Please visit Dominique’s Disclosure page for more information.

Weekend Reflections: Are you your child’s cheer leader?

The blue cheerleading squad

The blue cheerleading squad

During the Upper Primary Sports Day held last week I had the opportunity to view the different houses doing their cheer leading during the cheer leading segment. I took the opportunity to test out the fish eye function on the DSLR. I didn’t know that there were editing functions directly embedded within the camera for processing the photos which are taken.

 

Blue house cheer leading attempt

Blue house cheer leading attempt

It as really cute to see the students all doing a synchronized dance and belting out their house cheers. I didn’t manage to capture the other 4 houses doing their cheer leading performances as I was busy looking after Tiger girl who was busy exploring the stadium as it was her first visit to the place.

Looking at the camaraderie between the members of the various houses and their cheer leading squad made me wonder how active I am in being my child’s cheer leader and rooting for him.  Giving him both moral and physical support when he needs it the most.

It is a real delicate balance being supportive and seeming over bearing as a parent. On one hand we want our child to have their own experiences and fight their own battles and on the other hand we want to make sure that they grow up having a healthy self esteem.

I hope my kids do grow up knowing that their mum has always been rooting for them even though I may not appear to be as enthusiastic about certain issues like they are.

Are you your child’s cheerleader too?

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