Superpowers

 

 

Welcome to our 3rd Annual Salute to Rett Dads! Each day this week leading up to Father's Day, we will share a blog written by a father of a girl suffering from Rett Syndrome. Later in the week we will share a video slideshow of over 100 dads with their beautiful girls.

 

Just because these girls have Rett Syndrome does not mean they are not still "Daddy's Little Girl" .... times one million! To all the Rett Dads - thank you for your special role in raising these very special girls.

 

Other blogs this week:

Rockin' Out in Rettville - by Eli Callaway

Inspired by Catherine - by Gordon Christie



 

Written by Jeremy Springhart

I am the proud father of two wonderful girls. Carly is six and Brooklyn is five. Brooklyn was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in 2011, on Good Friday. Needless to say, there was nothing good about that Friday.  I was told how Brooklyn would lose her ability to walk, talk, use her hands and read like all of the other children. In one very solemn afternoon, I learned all of the terrible things that were to come.

Unfortunately, the doctor overlooked one very important detail about Brooklyn that day.  I did not learn it until years later.  Brooklyn is gifted.

Brooklyn is not an ordinary child.  When her eyes meet yours, there is so much she can tell you.  While she would love to be able to speak, she does not need words.  With one stare into your eyes, she can tell you whether she feels pain, sadness, happiness or hunger.  It is a sort of superpower.
 
Her stare is not Brooklyn's only superpower.  She can also melt your heart with a single smile.  There is no hiding it.  She is happy.  She feels great, and so will you.

Brooklyn has taught me that life is not always fair, and to do the best with what you have.  She never gives up.  She enjoys life while patiently waiting for a cure. 

The scientists are so close to unlocking this puzzle - one defective gene, one dreadful mutation.  It might sound naïve, but I know one day Brooklyn will be cured from Rett Syndrome.  She will run fast and far.   I will have a tough time keeping up with her.  So, in the meantime, I am just going to appreciate my time with Brooklyn, and those precious stares and smiles.