Sometimes we have awesome days!!

Just had to share this with may cyber family out there!! Leah participated in the school soccer world cup. This is a annual event for the school. Each class is divided into teams, each team then competes to be the ultimate soccer team trophy holders. This year Leah was part of the girls soccer squad aged 7-8, and Leahs team was crowned the World Cup Champions (in her age group) for 2014!! All this confirming  that dynamite truly does come in small packages 🙂 I’m so proud of her for being such a go getter…Most of all she has the best friends in the word, they truly are a awesome little girls and we are so proud of the all the teams that participated.

Sometimes we have bad days

On a recent visit to our local grocery store we were met with a very unpleasant incident. Leah and I were waiting on dad to finishing paying at the checkout so it was the perfect time to take a stroll down to the flower department to admire all the pretty blooms

Not to far from us stood a family busy picking out some flowers, I noticed them doing the “I’m trying not to stare look” and nudging each other while mumbling under their breath, it s what happened next that unleashed the devil in me.

The mother took out her cell phone and walked up to Leah who has by this stage wondered away from me. She then proceeded to say to her husband “I have to take a picture of this, I have never seen them at this age before”. I then stepped up to her before she could take the picture and in no polite manner told her that I would make sure I broke both her hands if she perused the matter, most of what I said was not pretty at all……

She then looked confused, as if she could not understand why I found her comments rude? She actually said “What’s your problem… I just want to show my friend what midget kids look like”

The look on Leah’s face broke my heart, she went silent not understanding what had just happened she just knew it was bad. I didn’t want to make a fuss about it in fact I didn’t mention the incident  to my husband who was oblivious to what had happened… I wanted to play it down for Leah’s sake. Later that evening she asked me “If i prayed really hard do you think God would change me to look like Nicole and Simone?”. Fighting my tears I reassured her that she was absolutely perfect  just the way she is, I then went on to say we should actually be praying for all the people who are out there stealing oxygen just like that lady in the grocery store, we had a good giggle and as she fell asleep in my arms, I took pleasure in realising that I am so blessed to have her in my life, she was able to brush it off with a giggle while I’m sitting here days later thinking that I should have broken that women’s face!!!

Its true we will have these bad days and encountering this woman has made me understand why some animals eat their young…

Hello November

A few weeks ago we had Leah visit her ENT for her annual ear check, sadly we were informed that Leah has lost 100% hearing in her left ear this is due to the continued ear infections which is a reoccurring problem with Achondroplasia.

Leah did not show any signs of her hearing being a problem and I feel awful because this is something I should never have missed, but yet it is what it is. I’m grateful that this has not impacted her in a huge way, she is just as she always has been, she is doing well at school and communicating with all her friends, so for now things seem fine and Leah is still her usual captivating self.

Happy 8th birthday Leah!!

No words just love

Thanks to my sister Eunice Doyle for capturing these beautiful shots of Leah!! need we say more its true that a picture says a thousand words…. I’m speechless this child is just filled with joy and love.

Little Girl Power!!!

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow

What makes October so special

Its October! and its a very special month for all LP’s and POLP their families and friends, and its a extra special month for the Kay family because its Leah’s birthday month, can you believe that our Little Leah will soon be celebrating her 8th Birthday in the month of October which happens to be Dwarfism Awareness Month!!!

Although things are still the same in South Africa as far as recognition for Dwarfism, we as always will continue to raise awareness and share Leah with the world and we hope that someday things will change for us, we hope that more LP’s and POLP citizens of South Africa will step out and be active in raising awareness, but for now we will wear our green ribbons with pride and celebrate our beautiful little Leah Kay.

So from all of us in South Africa and all our Raising Leah followers we wish our LP families every success while we continue to educate the world about Dwarfism!

“A” Day at Red Cross Childrens Hospital in Cape Town

I know we have been missing in action for a while, but Im still here…. I really should get here more often but Miss Leah seems to keep me very busy these days… so I thought i would make our return post a picture post, and what could be better than a picture of some of our beautiful LP kids.We recently met up at our annual genetics visit, we call it  “A Day”. I was really excited to meet all the new POLP in Cape Town, and I hope we get to meet up real soon.

 

Raising a powerful little girl named Leah

Its DWARFISM AWARENESS month in the USA…. unfortunately South Africa does not acknowledge this as yet but that does not stop us from joining in as we did in the past.

My Facebook newsfeeds have been abuzz with all the educational updates which is great to see.I was thinking about what I could share to celebrate this month and after much thinking I decided to share a recent mother daughter chat I had with Leah, a few weeks ago someone had poked fun of her size at school and she was feeling hurt as a mother all i wanted to do was hunt down the other kid and give her a harsh reprimand but we have to remember that we are our children’s greatest teachers .

So in the spirit of Dwarfism Awareness Month I dedicated this post to my Daughter Leah..

My darling Leah .You have the power to create what you want, it’s inside of you and is more powerful that you can imagine. Sometimes we give so much power to words that’s we become consumed with bitterness this is when you lose sight of who you really are. Yes you are going to have good days and you will have bad days fact is  we all have those days but I’m here for you if you need me. No one has the right to make you feel bad. If someone says something offensive YOU have the choice as to how you respond to it, just remember this only YOU can give it the power to upset you. So next time someone insults you don’t give it any power…. give it back to them try not to react, instead breath deep and give yourself time to respond in a way you would be proud of. Sometimes in anger we say things we regret but a calm response will definitely make people think twice about their ignorant jokes and insults.. believe me even if you think your response  has not made an impact I’m telling you it has,  that person will never forget. The only person in charge of your emotions and thoughts is YOU, and you are more beautiful than you will ever know. Love you always and forever.