Ted, jr.'s leg amputation helped cure me of the "why me?" syndrome

[SoCalDem]

November 16, 1973 was just after our first child was born, with a significant and serious birth defect. he was only 5 days old on that date, and after a dreary pronouncement from a few doctors who were called in to consult, my husband and I retired to the "cry-room" for a little respite.. The tv was on, and we basically sat there just staring emptily at whatever was on..just to escape from the life-changing decisions we would soon have to start making for our son. We were novices, this being our first child, so escape was something we treasured.

Whatever was on, was interrupted by a newsman, who reported that Teddy Kennedy junior,then only 12, had just had his leg amputated, due to cancer.

My husband and I looked at each other, as if to say.. "we are not the ONLY ones". We talked about it later that night and came to grips with the onslaught ahead of us. and in a small way, took comfort from the fact that bad things had not singled US out.. that they happen to everyone, and can happen anytime.

We realized too, that even a seemingly healthy child at birth, could always have "something happen".

I always followed what happened in Ted, jr.'s life.. Before that night I never knew he existed, but after that night, I felt a kinship with him.

Over the years both boys grew up to conquer their disabilities and both are living great lives..

[polichick]

1. Thank you for sharing - k&r

[hedgehog]

2. Somewhere along the line, we all became one family.

[havocmom]

3. Thank you for sharing that gift or perspective

Bookmarking for dark days we can never anticipate.

[nuxvomica]

4. Both boys were lucky to have such great parents

:thumbsup:

[JohnnyLib2]

5. Thank you. I hope you share this with Ted, jr.

:hug:

[seabeyond]

6. what a story socal.....

thank you so much for sharing it, and how you shared it.

[Cha]

7. The power of encouragment and inspiration

from other people's challenges is pervasive. You were meant to see that.

[SoCalDem]

8. I'll tell you.. at 24, it was a bitter pill to swallow

but like all pills.. it dissolved and worked out in the end:) It took a decade and 29 operations, and a lot of tears..but it was all worth it:)

[Cha]

9. A long hard row to hoe..

I'm so happy for your perseverance and victory.

[BuelahWitch]

10. Thank you

I'm so glad that everything worked out for both of them.

[SoCalDem]

11. It's hard to believe that my first baby-boy will be 36 this November

where did all that time go:(

[JohnnyLib2]

12. And you haven't changed a bit.....

:)

[catzies]

13. That's a sweet story. I was 12 too when Teddy Jr. was. The pic of him skiing years

later was quite a thrill for me, as I rejoiced in the triumph kids my age could achieve.

[malaise]

14. Nice story

Lucky boys

[unblock]

15. we once drove by their place as gawkers and admirers and saw teddy and ted jr. having a chat

as much as we were fans and admirers, my mother especially, we recognized that they were having a special, father-son time out walking, and she decided we would not to go up to them and ask for an autograph or anything. of course it's different when it's on their property as opposed to when you see someone famous in a restaurant or something.

but to this day my instinct on seeing someone famous is to not pester them. i chatted with phil donohue for nearly 3 hours at a crossword puzzle competition but only because i didn't recognize him :) mrs. unblock still teases me about that.

[SoCalDem]

16. That's my first instinct too. Famous people at an "event"? fair game

but when they are out with their families, they are off limits..

Remember the guy who played Reuben Kincaid on The Partridge Family? he sat next to my son an an airplane once and after about 30 minutes, HE engaged my son in conversation.. My son was flying to spend the summer with Grandma, and must have been about 10 at the time. He saw him and recognized him when we were checking in, and I said, "don't you dare bother him, if you sit near him"..

he must have noticed my son dying to talk to thim, but holding back, and they ended up having a nice chat on the way there.. He had his own kid with him, and they all played cards on the way:)