Summer

This summer rather busy for me with two girls needing to go here there and wanting to go even more places beyond the usual places they already need to go. My two girls are in gymnastics, one in her first year of team, and unlike some families that take off in the summer we do not. I feel that there is a need to have my children only one organized sport and both girls do very well in gymnastics works for me because I get to sit indoors out of the sun and watch them do.

The one thing I must consider especially when they weather is nice and sunny is that I have to limit my time in the sun. I must do this because of the medication I take to stay seizure free. There are times my girls will try and beg or guilt me into going to the park, swimming, or any of a number of outdoor locations and I must say no if I do not have help from a second adult who can drive if I were to start feeling sick from too much exposure to the sun. I hope in time that my girls will understand and appreciate what I have given them in there childhood.

The hardest thing for me is that I love the outdoors and would spend all day outside if it were not for the sun that stops me from enjoying a full fun day in the sun. When I was little I was on Dilantin which worked great although there was the fact that I would constantly have my blood levels checked it worked great and I had few problems with the sun. I was outdoors all the time going horseback riding, swimming, sailing, and many other outdoor activities. Now that I am on Oxcarbazepine (Trileptol) and it has effected my ability to spend my life outdoors. I know now that I am never wanting to have any more children I could probably switch but the current medication is a known quantity and I do not want to change now and cause me to have a seizure I have not had since 1998.The best thing to do now is just remember to spend the time outside with my husband or friend that understands that I have some limitations.

I am simply glad that I could have the family I always wanted and gave birth to three healthy happy children. I also have a wonderful husband who may not always understand all the full extent of my limitations but loves me anyways. Unless you have multiple disabilities (or a complicated one) I think it is hard to fathom the obstacles that I or anyone else with a disability faces on a daily basis.