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Welcome to Caitlin's website
we're so glad that you are here
We want you to get to know her
and in her daily life to share
Some days are tougher then others
and when these days are found
Little Caity-Did finds comfort
when her loving family is around
She enjoys watching Sponge Bob
with his pet snail, Gary's his name
And that sweet Strawberry Shortcake
is another favorite of Caity fame
Please settle in and stay awhile
to read about Caity's daily life
If you are like us, it's a must
and we give you this advice
Be prepared to fall in love
your heart she'll surely steal
When you fall in love with Caity
It's forever and it's for real
Copyright ©2006 Island Princess
Welcome to my very own home on the web! My name is Caitlin and I am nine years old. When I was only a little over 16 months old I had a reaction to my routine vaccinations and I developed Partial complex (focal) epilepsy and Autism as a result. In the first few entries of my journal history you can read my story as told by my mom Mary. The road has been a long one, and at times is hard yet I am doing very well! I am mainstreamed in a regular third grade class this year and I am very smart! Currently I am obsessed with Sponge Bob Square Pants, and I love his snail Gary too! Gary and I go way back though! When I was five we went to a fair and I had an autistic meltdown so terrible that my daddy was forced to spend $40 on a game just so I could take home a Gary the snail of my very own!
I have three sisters as you will see, Kristen 13, Stephanie 11, and Meagan age 4. My oldest sister Kristen was diagnosed with a higher functioning form of Autism called Aspergers disorder and she functions very well and is a straight A honor student. Autism is a puzzling disorder which is why the universal symbol for Autism is a puzzle. There are many forms and degrees of severity, but one thing is clear the rate of children afflicted is skyrocketing! There is now thought to be a 1 in 166 prevalence which we think is too high! It is really amazing then that my sister and I both have forms of Autism! The doctors are also watching my little sister Meagan for Aspergers because she is also displaying some of the typical behaviors. Meagan does not like certain sounds, certain textures and is anxious in large crowds of people. We may not know though if Meagan is affected for certain until she is a little older. The usual age for diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome is 7 years old. If you want more information on autism please visit our links section for some good websites. Also please feel free to email my mommy anytime, she studied for her BA Degree in Psychology because of me and my sister and graduated from Saint Leo University in May 2007! My mommy has learned so much and we continue to teach her more and more every single day! On another note, my sister Stephanie age 11 has been sick off and on for the last three years and has seen a multitude of doctors and specialists. She is now being treated for Pediatric Lupus or SLE and as you may also notice mommy journals about her too. Please keep our family in your prayers!
 
 
This is Caitlin at age 4 with Auntie Stephanie
Thank-you Jamie for our Ribbon!
This is big sister Stephanie age 9 with Caity-Did 12-05
This is Caitlin age 7 years
This is big sister Kristen on Left age 11, with friend
This is little sister Meagan age 2
This is me, Caitlin's mommy!
*HUGS* TOTAL!
give CAITLIN more *HUGS*
Get hugs of your own
ANGEL VICKY
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HEAVEN
Journal
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 8:01 AM CST Hello Everyone,
I hope that all of you are doing well and we appreciate everyone's continual prayers and the fact that you still check in very very much!!! We are doing pretty good around here. Stephanie is still walking and seems to think that Methotrexate is some kind of miracle drug for JRA! lol She said this is the first time in a long time that most of her joints feel normal and she is finally *almost* pain free. Notice that word almost though, we would like to see her totally pain free but her ankles are bothering her majorly. Mainly the ankle where they found the bone cyst, but the opposite ankle was bothering her last night too and anytime she overdoes it with the walking she seems to be in a flare. Trick or Treating the other night was pretty rough on her, she came home in agony and screamed most of the night that her legs and ankles hurt. It made me feel pretty darn helpless cause there is nothing I can do to take away her pain, other than the medication she is already taking so it is sad.
Stephanie has arthritis in almost every one of her finger joints, her neck, her wrists, her knees and her ankles and feet. So it seems to be pretty widespread, poor girl. I made a boo boo the other day and felt just awful, she spiked a high fever so I gave her some Motrin and then the next day she got another one so again I gave her more Motrin; but she told me she then felt sicker so I come to find out that I was not supposed to give her the Motrin because of that Methotrexate she takes, and I frantically called the pharmacist. Luckily it was alright, but I was told not to give it to her again, and to instead stick with Tylenol for fever with that medication. I vow to be more careful next time, and truth be told all of these medications and their side effects/ possible interactions with other drugs etc; scares me.
Yet for the most part all things considered this is truly the most normal Stephanie has felt in a very long time and it is good to see her up and about more, and doing normal kid stuff, that makes me happy. There is talk even about her being able to go to school right after thanksgiving break, because we plan to have her on intermittent home bound!!! That way Steph can go to school at least on the days she feels well enough to go and be with her friends. I feel good about that decision too.
Meagan's IEP meeting is on the 6th this week. This is the big one where the testing they did for months will reveal to us whether she has Aspergers or not. I am a bit nervous about it but whatever the outcome will be fine; after all what better mom could handle than I could? It is almost like second nature at this point after Caity-did and Kristen and they are both doing great and I know Meagan will be fine too. I have four very intelligent, beautiful, sweet and helpful girls. I couldn't be any prouder of them and would not trade any one of them for the world!!! My girls are such blessings.
Thanks again for checking in! We love you!!!
Love,
Mary
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: HOME!!!!
Links: http://walkforlupusnowgf.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=264609&u=264609-208373864&e=1596826444 WALK FOR LUPUS NOW DONATION PAGE
http://www.autismspeaks.org Good info on autism
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stephanie1 My sister Stephanie's page
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