Brendalyn

I also need to share before end of this year the 17th birthday of our second child, our first daughter, Addelyn Elise. Addy, who now will not go by her given name Addelyn, as she says we only use it when she is in trouble, and she even went to the effort to change her name on her high school records. This girl is our Tom boy, she loves music, dancing and singing, loves Miraculous Ladybug and is a super fan of Ross Lynch. Addy Belle, our valiant special spirit, who we prayed for, waited for and pled with God to bring here to this earth to add to our little family and bring more joy to our lives. I think Heavenly Father was waiting and may have been testing us, as if to say, “are you sure you are ready for her? Are you certain you think you are ready to handle what I am about to send you?”
Oh what a wonderful adventure these 17 years have been. You have taught us so much and we have learned so many things from being your earthly parents and trying our hardest to do for you what we can in this fragile existence. You are a mighty miracle in every way, beating the odds in so many ways, continually pushing forward and making the best of your life with the abilities you have. This year has been an especially challenging one for you as you have had to give up things you loved so you can work extra hard to keep up with your educational progress and plan to graduate from high school with a diploma with your same age peers. We have tried to do our best to help you by learning all things Neurology, Endocrinology, special needs, inclusion, acceptance and Neurodivergence. Addy has conquered epilepsy from infantile spasms, seizures from a stroke she had in utero. She recovered from many surgeries hemispherectomy (brain surgery to remove the right brain causing her seizures and to cure her epilepsy) eye surgery for strabismus and amblyopia (lazy eye and misalignment), and many other surgeries to help with physical disabilities. She has been diagnosed with so many different things that we have learned more from and tries to help her with throughout her life. Continued in comments.