Balance between – Advocacy, Trust, and Knowledge

April 9, 2012 Gwen 1 Comments

I can tell you I feel like I FELL into being a SN mom and I have learned so much about the balance of ADVOCACY, TRUST, AND KNOWLEDGE … Making sure you have a doctor that will listen to you is so important … Knowing that you have a doctor that will treat your child as if they are their own is crucial … Knowing that you can trust each other as you decide on the best course of action is priceless …

I learned this very valuable lesson of balance on my first surgery (one of many) with my daughter … I knew that the course of action the doctor was suggesting wouldn’t work (and I don’t have a medical degree), but I let the doctor talk me into it because of his KNOWLEDGE … I was the one who knew my child … I knew her history and I was supposed to ADVOCATE for that … Well, I was right 100% and it failed and set us back a year and cost my sweet angel girl 2 extra surgeries … I don’t allow myself to feel guilty about that because I did the best I could at the moment … I will say after that experience my daughter’s doctor learned her better, I learned how to advocate better and we all began a 4 year long process of trust …

That experience has served me well as we brought home another uniquely made child … I am firm, kind, and express what I know my child needs … I think the biggest part of advocating for your child is that the caregivers (whether doctor, nurse, therapist, etc.) know that your goal is to help HEAL your child NOT FIX them … I think this will help to open up lines of communication and trust … I want my child to be all GOD intends them to be, NOT WHAT THE WORLD WANTS THEM TO BE and with that mind set it allows me to freely express my concerns and it helps me to have an open mind when professionals are talking about what course of action they think is best …

Honestly, we are never going to be right ALL THE TIME and the professionals are never going to be right ALL THE TIME … There is a great balance needed in parenting a uniquely made child … Find your voice, check your heart, AND MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT FEAR …

blessings,
Gwen – Oatsvall Team





One response to “Balance between – Advocacy, Trust, and Knowledge”

  1. Leslie says:

    “I think the biggest part of advocating for your child is that the caregivers (whether doctor, nurse, therapist, etc.) know that your goal is to help HEAL your child NOT FIX them …”

    YES. THIS.

    And I advocate with *I’m assuming* same doctor for our daughter. He wants to do a “nose repair” that is NOT NEEDED. Thankfully, after my advocating on several occasions he finally quit bringing it up. 🙂 I love his work and his drive to perfection, but yeah my sweet girl doesn’t need fixing .. she is perfect just the way God made her!

    Thanks for sharing. This is good stuff!

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