The deal with Wyndham.

So, in response to a couple of people asking about what Wyndham's condition and issues are, I am posting some pictures, which I always have on hand, and this post.
Wyndham received a traumatic brain injury (TBI-closed-head) at our incident five years ago, when a car crashed into the restaurant where we were dining. She was not quite 7 months old at the time, and happened to be strapped in her infant car seat. That saved her life, but left her with a massive head injury. She has had two brain surgeries- one to place a permanent shunt- which is a tube running from her brain to her abdomen, to drain fluid. She was initially not expected to survive her injuries. At least for the first 4 or 5 days. Then, when her shunt was placed, the neurosurgeons, again, were not hopeful, but they had to try. SO, it was no small miracle to the doctors and nurses who treated her at Hurley Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, that she came out of her surgery, better than expected. She came out of surgery off of her respirator, and was semi-smiling 24 hours later. That's was the first time in two weeks, that I began to be hopeful at her chances for recovery. It was grueling to be her mom and be totally helpless, other than to pray.
But, think about it. I had just started to come to terms with the reality of the death of her big sister, Teagan, and the fact that our lives would never be the same. My heart was torn apart inside! I remember thinking I wasn't going to be the best support for Wyndham and all the special needs she was dealing with now. I had no idea all the things she would face medically, because of surviving her injuries. I think that was the best thing going for me...I was totally naive and unaware.
Wyndham has received ongoing physical, occupational and speech therapy since August of 2001. She has made consistent progress, and always put forth her best effort. She puts me to shame somedays. When I don't feel like going to therapy or rearranging my schedule for doctor appointments, all I have to do is look at her and I realize that SHE is the one going through life with the odds stacked against her. I'm simply along to watch her overcome the challenges. I hurt for her a lot of times, but she has never made me feel sorry for her.
Her attitude is admirable. She always tries her best. At age 5 and a half, she is doing very well, but still has a lot of issues. Because of her head injury, she has gross motor and speech delays. She does very well with her fine motor skills, and her comprehension is good. That means, she understands a lot of what goes on around her, she just can't always do things on her own, and she doesn't speak. So, we are all learning sign language along with her, and trying to find ways to keep the communication gap from growing larger.
Wyndham seems to have her own ways of letting us know what her needs and wants are. She has a great sense of humor and gets along great with all the other kids in the family. In fact, I don't think they really know she has such special needs- except that we bring her to therapy three times a week. {Isabella always says, "Wyndham, you're going to 'syrupy'." It's so cute...they think she's lucky because she has fun games and toys to play there.}
In the end, Wyndham's doctors can't give us a definitive prognosis in terms of her brain injury. We were told that she may never walk or talk. She started walking last fall, and it still makes me smile everyday- to see her up and on her feet. She's getting stronger and faster each week. She has the ability to make sounds, and has said about 8 words...including SpongeBob, and most recently Momma. So, we continue to treat her as normally as possible and push her as much as she is willing. She has come a long way in 5 years, but still has a long road ahead of her.
As far as Chip and I are concerned, anything is possible- and we're never giving up. I think that's the best thing she has going for her. I'm humbled that God would have us witness the miracles in her life...one little step at a time. I didn't think I was cut out for the job- but I am grateful to be entrusted with the role of being her Mom and cheerleader in life.