We are Still Doing all of the Things I Dreamed Of

kya 5

I always wanted a little girl and when I found out I was having one I was thrilled.

Oh, the things we could do together as mommy and daughter.

Pink dresses girly shoes makeup and shopping! All those things were what I dreamed of.

I pictured her vividly in my mind.

And truth be told I was glad I was having a little girl. 

I wouldn’t know how to boy mom although I am sure I would have figured it out.

I often wonder when.

When did it happen?

I wondered what I did wrong.

Did I not eat healthy enough or get enough sleep?

She didn’t move much when I was pregnant and that always worried me. I didn’t have the moments of pregnancy my friends had and because of that I knew. I knew it was already different.

And the moment I gave birth and they handed her to me I knew. I knew deep in my soul.

From that moment on I felt like my dreams drifted away and as the years went on that feeling deepened.

And then my beautiful Kya Alexandra was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and our lives were forever changed.

I have been open about the fact that I felt like my daughter’s life was over and she was handed a life sentence.

And in many ways, I still feel that way, but it has shifted.

All the things I thought were taken away were not. Sure, things are altered to make it easier for my girl, but we are still doing all the things I dreamed of.

We go to lunch we go shopping we get mani/pedis and my sweet Kya couldn’t be anymore girly girl! She loves all things pink she likes her hair done and she loves makeup!

If you need a makeup tutorial this kid is your girl! 

Just look at her!

Never stop dreaming. Or trying. 

On we go.

Written by, Jennifer Dunn

My name is Jennifer Dunn, I am the mother of a beautiful 10 year old girl with ASD. Kya and I live in Vancouver, Canada. I work full-time and also manager her team of therapists. Our weekends are mostly filled with therapy, but I am happy to be on this journey with my Bug. I share our journey at https://www.facebook.com/keepingupwithkya/

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Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

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