I’m Thankful For You: My Daughter, An Advocate
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Amy Herbert and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.)
This November I want to honor and thank my daughter Isabelle Rose Herbert: Our son Ben’s smallest (yet biggest) advocate.
Our daughter Isabelle was our first born. She was speaking in full sentences by 18 months and was (and is) such a rule follower. Just as perfect as a baby and toddler could get! She is just an all around amazing, smart, kind, and compassionate human. There was a reason God sent her to us first.
Then, almost two years after Izzy arrived our Big Ben was born. He was two days late and suffered from some breathing issues which led to him being in the NICU for a few days. He was the only 9lb baby in the NICU! He gave us all a run for our money from day one. He was on the move at nine months and his body never seemed to stop!
Ben’s speech delay, poor impulse control, lack of personal space, and no fear led us to early Speech and Occupational therapy. Izzy, even as a three year old, kept encouraging her brother and actively participated in helping Ben improve. Without any of us even knowing it, she became her brother Ben’s biggest advocate. She has given him more patience than I’ve ever seen between siblings that young.
When we told her earlier this year about Ben’s diagnosis she asked lots of questions and got on board with amping up the amount of time therapy would take from us. She loves all of Ben’s therapists and has a relationship with all of them and enjoys seeing them each time they come to our home or we go to the clinic.
How is it that she is only six? I’ve also noticed how she speaks about other kids at her school who may be struggling socially or otherwise and she has some of the most mature and profound things to say. She’s also been scoping out the inclusive Kindergarten classroom Ben will be in next year at her school and assures him that he will love his teacher and getting to ride the bus with her.
You my dear are special and you will move mountains!! Your brother looks up to you more than you could ever know. Your words of encouragement to him during swim Team and t-ball made his day. As our ABA therapists say you are a little therapist for him.
Thank you for always being considerate and concerned if the food around us is gluten and dye free. Thank you for protecting and comforting your brother just days after the autism diagnosis was given and another child pushed him down and said some not so nice words.
Thank you for also consoling me later that day when you saw me crying, I saw you holding back your tears sweet girl, I know this stuff is tough. Thank you for being an amazing sister to not only Ben but your youngest brother, Elliott too. Thank you for being kind to everyone you meet and being inclusive to all. I think that is the greatest gift your brother has given to you, and you my dear one have given so many gifts to him!! We love you!
Love,
Mom and Dad
You can still nominate the doctors, therapists, teachers, friends and family that make a difference in your special needs world. Click HERE to learn how!
