This story is about a wonderful little girl named June Ann
Birchler. I am sure you will agree after you get to know her. I had a pretty
normal pregnancy but June's delivery was something else. It all started on the
day of July 17, 1994 when I noticed some leakage and went to the hospital. The
doctor said it was just "urine" and sent me home. Sure enough, 5 hours later, I
was right back in the hospital with SEVERE leakage this time and they kept me.
We thought "finally the moment has arrived". June was our first child and we
were very excited. The next day came around very slowly as Tom and I were too
excited to sleep, knowing our little June would soon be here. July 18 at 3:00 P.
M. I was fully dilated to 10 and the doctor announced that I was too small to
have the baby and they were going to do a c-section. I was in hard labor for an
hour and a half and the anesthesialogist FINALLY made it and when they were
getting ready to put me on the operation table the doctor noticed June had
crowned and went ahead and pulled her out with forceps. She was actually stuck
in the birth canal for an hour and a half. At 14 months old my mother told me it
was time to find out what was wrong with my little girl because she was not
progressing. Of course I was still in denial about it and we took her to a
neurologist and found out she had cerebral palsy. Her right side is affected,
which is known as right sided
hemiplegia. We started taking her to
Horseback Riding Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech
Therapy. She still attends all of them to this day. The Horseback Riding Therapy
is the REASON she is walking and it boosted MY self confidence as her mother.
Today June is at a 2 year old level and she is 4. the doctor said she will
probably always be half her age. But she is WALKING!!!! Still not running or
jumping or anything that a "normal" four year old does, but in my heart I
believe she MAY one day actually get there. Her speech is still pretty bad, and
we are now considering a communications device, but are not sure yet. I hope you
all make my daughter feel as welcomed and loved here as she is at home, and
enjoy your your visit at June's Place. One of my favorite places to spend time
when I am online is the
CPNetwork. You can
often find me there talking to other parents with special needs children.
