Beyond the Diagnosis

By Kristen Bourgeois

My oldest son didn’t have an easy start into this world. Infection and hypoglycemia at 5 days old.  Later in toddlerhood, a speech delay and PE tubes. Later, speech therapy and difficulties in pre-kindergarten leading to one diagnosis after another after another. 

I would be lying if I said that it has been easy. Learning my beloved child is in fact neuro-diverse has been overwhelming and heartbreaking. And, the possibility of an additional diagnosis regarding how he learns had me terrified and anxious. Lots of tears were shed – tears of sadness.

There are times I want things to just be easy. Not just for myself, but for my son, too. Nobody likes the struggle. But the struggle is part of the story.

As we navigate this uncharted territory as parents, we are learning. Learning to trust our parental instinct, advocating for our son, seeking additional support and ultimately learning and doing what is best and what works for him.

I’ve been praying, asking our Blessed Mother to help me accept and not run from this cross. And, it occurred to me. So what if we get another diagnosis? My boy will still be my boy, and I am not going to love him any less.