Aiden |
Annalisa | "Angel" Kainen
Annalisa's Story
written by mom Melissa
Annalisa was delivered by emergency
c-section on May 31st, 2000. That was supposed to be the happiest day of our
lives. Nobody told me anything until the next morning, that she was born
with no vital signs and they had to resuscitate her 3 times. She started
having seizures after that. I was able to see her for less than five minutes
before they transported her to another hospital. I begged to go with her but
they wouldn't let me. She was 4 days old before I got to hold my precious
princess. She was so little, I prayed that everything would be ok, but it
wasn't.
She stayed just short of 2 weeks in the NICU. One of the worst days of my
life was when we received the CT results. The left side of her brain was
severely damaged. One of the nurses in the NICU recommended I call Any Baby
Can. They provide free therapy services for children with developmental
delays. We knew most likely she would have Cerebral Palsy. Her neurologist
wouldn't diagnose her until she was one. It hit me like a slap in the face
that day it was official. Annalisa began physical therapy when she was 3
months old with a wonderful woman named Judy. Annalisa did not like therapy
the first year she would play possum on Wednesdays when Judy would come
over. Annalisa finally realized Judy was here to stay and began to
cooperate. She has been in therapy ever since. When she was 2½ we had to
make a difficult decision. She was failing to thrive, she weighed 18 pounds.
So we allowed them to insert a g-tube for her health. She has had 4 major
surgeries. Her latest was the Vagus Nerve Stimulator placement in July 2005.
Annalisa had a CT done in December 06 to look at her high palate and the
Cranial Facial Surgeon thinks it can be fixed by some kind of Orthodontist
that specializes in oral deformities. There is a specialist relocating here
to Texas soon, so I guess we will try to get an appointment and see what
they have to say.
Annalisa is one of the happiest kids you will ever meet. She goes to school
full time and is a social butterfly. She is a Diva!! In Feb 2004 Annalisa
had a brain stem seizure. Her heart was not functioning properly and she
couldn't maintain her body temp so her whole body went haywire. Her
neurologist said the next brain stem seizure may be the one she does not
recover from. Everyday we live life to the fullest not knowing what tomorrow
will bring. Annalisa's happiness is what I live for. Annalisa is making huge
strides that doctors said she would never do. We received her first power
chair in the Spring of 2005, using a head array system. We have to keep her
chair on the lowest settings. She is a bit of a dare devil, like her daddy.
When we go to the park the first thing Annalisa goes for is the hill. If her
power chair wasn't on the lowest setting I wouldn't be able to catch her!
In January 2005 she became a big sister for the first time. She was ready to
send her Jillian back to the hospital in less than a week. Annalisa became a
big sister again in December 2006. She got her baby brother for Christmas.
She loves holding him and talking to him in her own way. The love of
Annalisa's life is her Papa, my father. He returns her love whole heartedly.
Those two spend hours together dancing, singing and reading books. Annalisa
has a "magic mirror" in her room that she and Papa spend hours looking into.
Annalisa cannot speak clearly but we have our own language. She says "I
Bubba Ooo", and I bubba her with all my heart and I know you will too.
Abilities:
See: Yes, but visually impaired.
Hear: Yes.
Talk: Not yet, but says a few words.
Walk: No, Power Chair Driver.
Read: No, but loves to be read to.
Use hands: Not too well but working very hard at it.
Siblings:
sister Jillian, age 3
brother Charlie, age 1
Child's Interests:
Annalisa likes school, clothes, Bratz dolls, Barbies, Fairly Odd Parents
(her favorite show), Sci-Fi buff, loves cats and Will Smith!!!
Sibling's Interests:
Jillian likes food, cats and playing tea party.
Charlie likes toddler things for now.
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