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To the Medical Mumma
Hope Trafficker Book
I released my first book in 2019, so here it is! I’m so excited to share this with the world. I never considered myself a writer, but after I started blogging and God put on my heart to write about my unexpected journey of parenting a child with a disability, one of deep pain, but taught me that that hope can still be found. Hope in us stirs hope in others. My prayer is that after you have read my book, you will be encouraged on your own journey, that you would carry hope and be a HOPE TRAFFICKER.
Victory
Everyone that has followed our journey so far is already aware of the amazing progress we have made with Piper’s feeding. I am so proud of her and where we are at and I want to share it with you.
What it means to be a Special Needs Mum
I remember every detail of the day we received Piper’s diagnosis. I remember what outfit I was wearing, the chair I was sitting in, I remember the expression on the doctors face as he delivered the news.
Feeding Your Baby
This one’s going to be painful! As a first time mum I planned everything out. I decided I was going to breastfeed or at least try as hard as I can and if it doesn’t work then I will give her formula. I was okay with that. I was just going to give it a go. There is so much pressure on mothers to breastfeed and the way we do it. For me, I didn’t even get a choice to breastfeed or even bottle feed my daughter.
The Best Parts of 22q
I often feel really alone on my journey. My friends and family don’t quite understand. I know they hurt with me and understand parts of it, supporting and loving me unconditionally where they can, but never really getting the full picture. I think when you are actually living and experiencing it with no one around you that can fully understand, it’s lonely.
Expectation vs. Reality
When I fell pregnant I had an expectation of life being all sunshine and roses. Everything you hear and the photos you see tells you to expect a cute little bump, your boobs get bigger and you want to have sex all the time. You feel your baby kicking, you can eat for...
Being Brave
Fear. An unpleasant emotion caused by pain or danger. Trying to be brave enough to face the spider in the corner of the room, to squish it or even go close to it. The first day of high school or moving across the other side of the world at 12 with no friends. Facing...
I Hate the Word Normal
I hate the word normal... I remember back to the day we walked into the NICU a gloomy feeling among the hospital. Sitting in the chair when the doctor came in to deliver the news that Piper's test came back positive for DiGeorge syndrome (22q). What is it!? A missing...
Piper’s Story
This is a speech I wrote and the first time I spoke publicly about our journey. I was asked my one of my old teachers to talk in front of 200 mcc students.
“So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”
– Psalms 31:24
Leigh Edwards
Married at 19, I became a mum at 22 to our beautiful daughter Piper, diagnosed with 22q (22q11.2 deletion syndrome – 22q), I was taken on an unexpected journey.
Born in England I moved to Mandurah, Western Australia when I was 12. I don’t consider myself a writer, but after I started blogging about my journey of deep pain I discovered hope can be found, and hope in us stirs hope in others.
