Superpowers!

The first diagnosis that we heard in the Department of Intensive Care and Neonatal Pathology in Zabrze was bone brittleness – osteogenesis imperfecta. I will never forget that name. I won’t lie, we were devastated with the news. Especially that we couldn’t bathe Antosia by our own, and her cart had a “cautious care” note attatched from the beginning. This fixed us in the belief that the diagnosis is very real and it is only a matter of time to confirm it. It was a very rough time for us, one of the best times in my life, because our beautiful, wonderful daughter had been born. We had waited 9 months for that special moment. One of the best, but at the same time, full of doubts of what tomorrow would bring, of ways to help our Antosia.

Fortunately, the diagnosis was eventually rejected in, I think, 5th day of Antosia’s life. That was unbelievable relief. I wanted to share this little happiness with all of the world altogether , but I just called to one of our Friends, Paweł. I didn’t even finish the sentence , because Paweł interrupted me, shouting with amazing euphoria in his voice somthing like:
“Yes! I knew it! I am telling You, it will come to light that she has some superpowers!”

I am writing about this, because this was one of the breakthrough moments for me and for my perspective on the situation. It was at the time that I have learned about a very insiring woman, Aimee Mullins, and I reminded myself the story of Oscar Pistorius. They were both born with the same syndrome as Antosia, bilateral fibular hemimelia. Thanks to their attitude I know that disability doesn’t really mean being not able. Paradoxically, one can get lots of strength from one’s own weakness. That’s what I would like to learn. I suspect that I will learn that only from our daughter.

Two Aimee speeches are posted below. I know they are over half hour long, but sometimes we waste even more time in front of the tv. I strongly reccomend.