I guess you could say I'm just feeling a little bit thankful...

I think my word for the year is going to be THANKFUL.  I am just so thankful for everything in my life and every experience I've been so fortunate to have. I look back and now have an appreciation for even the struggles in my life because, I see how God used those experiences to make me into the woman I am today. I'm thankful God  turned my life around. I'm thankful God has given me a second chance. I'm thankful he's given me the strength to endure. I'm thankful for the mentors in my life. I'm thankful for the prayer warriors in our lives. I'm thankful for God's grace and covering over David and I. I'm thankful God has given me a son that his light shines through. I'm thankful for my church and my youth group. I'm thankful for my classroom and my staff. I'm thankful for the little lives that bless me every single day with their smile. I'm also thankful for their families who share them with me.  I'm thankful for all the hero moms I know raising special needs superheroes. I'm thankful for my support system inside and outside of my school. I'm thankful for the scholarships that invested in me and my future. I'm thankful for all the friends and family who always support all of my many social missions. I am thankful for our friends that lend us their legs. I'm thankful for the clerk at Circle K who smiles at me and asks about my students every morning when I get coffee.  I'm thankful for the friends who prayed me out of dark places and the friends who've shared in so many joyous adventures with me. I'm thankful for my family and my beautiful nephews and nieces who make me a proud aunt. I'm thankful for those of you whose posts have encouraged and inspired me.   I'm also thankful for each and everyone of you. I'm thankful that when the world said you can't do this, God said YES YOU CAN! THANK GOD TODAY, HE IS AMAZING!

Let make this families dreams come true

Can anyone help me get this letter to Justin Bieber or anyone who can help us get this little angel a Meet and Greet.   #helpangelitameetbieber

Dear Justin Bieber,



I am writing this letter on behalf of a beautiful family I know. I met Dalia in a group for moms parenting special needs children. I learned about the tragic day that changed their families lives. At age four while playing in a bounce house, Dalia’s youngest daughter Angelita fell, and was trampled by other children. No one knew how serious her injury was, until hours later when doctors informed the family that Angelita has suffered a spinal cord injury and would spend the rest of her life paralyzed from the neck down. Life as they new forever changed in an instant. There once vibrant daughter now needed a chair to get around, a ventilator to breath for her, and a g-tube to help her eat. Despite this tragedy this family is one of the most positive and gracious families I know.



Angelita has been Justin Biebers fan for over four year. Her love for Bieber started in 2011 when she was stuck in the hospital while her body was recovering from her injury. Bieber was Angelita motivation, his music inspired her to be strong throughout her recovery process. As the family adjusted to their new normal Angelita began learning new ways to access the same things she once enjoyed so easily. She began using a computer that she could control using her eyes. The family was astonished when her first successful attempt was to find and view the Justin Bieber video “Never say Never”. The song quickly became Angelita motto, and she has lived the last four years refusing to let anything crush her precious spirits. 

At that time she did not have the strength to speak very well but she did manage to sing along to her favorite songs like "Baby" and "One less lonely girl". Her admiration for Justin has not faded, since then her dream has been to be able to meet Justin one day.  It comes second to her ultimate dream to marry him.



Angelita is a strong, inspiring little girl, her energy is spread through her smile that brightens the lives of everyone blessed to share it with her.  Justin's songs have helped Angelita overcome the tragedy and loss in her life and watching her overcome her loss has allowed her amazing mom to heal as well. Angelita is now an independent 9 year old that loves a challenge. She truly is a "believer".  She believes that there is good in everyone, she believes that a smile can brighten anyone's day, she believes that she can make a difference in this world and she does. Most importantly, she believes that one day she will be able to walk again.

  At age four Angelita told her parents that she prayed everyday that she could walk again, but since God had not answered yet, she new it was because their were other children who needed him more. A young girl wise beyond her years and destined for greatness. 



I would love nothing more than to make this incredible Hero's

 dream to meet Bieber come true. Not only would the experience be life altering for Angelita it would also impact her family that has rearrange their entire life to give Angelita the life she needs and deserves. Her mom Dalia has already had to watch her daughter miss out on so many things as a result of her injury and limitations. Her mom said to me “I would like nothing more than to make all of her wishes come true. I can't make her walk again but what I can do is ask for help to make it possible for her to meet Justin Beiber. She truly is an amazing girl and deserves so much".

Of course Angelita’s Christmas wish was for tickets to the Justin Bieber concert in Arizona this March. Surprising her with a meet and greet with Justin would not only make this precious souls dreams come true, it would honor her journey, and the strength and courage she has shared with all those who know her. 



Please help us make this happen for this incredible family who has already had to sacrifice so much,

Michelle Campuzano

Mighty Moms Rock

I can't begin to express how much each and everyone of you mean to me.    Thank you for inspiring me and reminding me that I am not alone.  You are all courageous hero's in my book.  From the mom whose daughter was perfectly normal until a tragic accident, the moms who have spent a majority of their child's life in a hospital, the mom who fosters children, investing in special little lives despite her own obstacles,  the mom whose traveled this journey for months, years, or decades, thanks for sharing your journey with me and supporting me through mine!  You Mighty Moms go above and beyond to ensure your children get the most out of life, no matter the sacrifice it cost you, because thats how incredible you are.   I love making memories with you all.  I look forward to the laughs and tears we share together at retreat.

Last but not least a very valuable lesson learned...  Chinchilla don't fart!

Team Andrew

Wait I can explain....

Those of you who know me know I would do ANYTHING for the kiddos in my life. Andrew is one of my incredible students who I have had the privilege of teaching for two years.  This little boy is responsible for putting a smile on my face each and every day. One of our morning rituals is fighting over our choices in football teams.  

Today Andrew is under going his third major surgery.  Now that he's older and can understand the process, he has had great anxiety about having to endure yet another painful surgery and the recovery process.  I wish I could take his place because watching him suffer makes my heart ache.  

I decided to surprise him and show up at the hospital to see him off to surgery. I showed up representing his favorite football team to show him that no matter how much I love my 49ers, first and foremost I will always be Team Andrew!

So here it is, me in Saints attire. An image you will probably never see again! Lol

2016 Rock N' Roll Marathon ~ Team Best Buddies ~ Team David/Daryl

Thank you Kind Bars for supporting Team Best Buddies

#kindawesome 

David decided to take a nap during his News interview.

#12newsaz

Last year at this time we were registering for David's very first race. For the first time ever in our lives I was able to watch David cross his very first finish line, an opportunity I had longed and waited for for over 18 years.  Little did we know that, that experience would be the first of many for us.  What makes it even more meaningful is that we get to share the experience with some incredible people who have forever changed our lives!  Thank you for the opportunity to create worthwhile memories and build lifelong friends! Not only have you shared of your time, your talents, and your legs, you have shared your heart with us and you now have a significant place in our hearts. I can't thank you enough for all the selfless sacrifices you make to eliminate some of the obstacles in our lives.  #teambestbuddiesaz

The moments that make every obstacle in teaching worth it.

 My little Emma has struggled with her balance which has prevented her from walking. While problem solving we thought of putting a weighted lap pad in a back pack to help her with her balance. IT WORKED!!!!!

                                                                    January 2016

Today I am overwhelmed with joy!  God is so faithful!  For many years my heart ached for the experiences David and I never got to have.  As the years have passed I have learned to trust God and his promise.  I might not ever have the opportunity to see my own child walk, but God has graciously allowed me to still be part of the experience in others lives.  Emma is the 3rd child who came to me in a wheelchair that I have had the privilege of watching take steps.  Teachers salaries might be low, but our benefits are out of this world!

April 2015

I am so humbled by all of the love and support from friends, family, and even perfect strangers.  Thank you will never be enough!

                                                                 Avanfordavid.org

I'm feeling hopeful or just having a good day dream!

If I won the lottery first I would create a nonprofit called "David Duty".  I would rebuild hundreds of schools in Arizona.  Then I would help create spectacular programs and resources for the special needs community! Oh and I can't forget about my youth group. A missions trip around the world would be nice!  Just saying!!!!

Merry CHRISTmas 2015!

Sometimes the holidays can be a very lonely and sad time for us.  But when I look back and reflect on all the fun memories, adventures, VIP hospital stays, and all the struggles we have survived together,  just you and I.   I know that God gave me you to help me survive life and find my purpose.  He blessed me with a perfect soul to teach me how to gracefully find the courage to keep pushing forward.  Because of you David, I've had so much to be joyful about every Christmas for the last 19 years.

I hope mommy makes you as happy as you make me!

Being David's Mom...

I passed out the invitations to David's school today.  I guess the little girls have already realized that they now have David's phone number.  I get a call for him today while I was still at work.  After finally figuring out who she and what she was calling for, she asked if she could speak to David.  I told her that I was at work and that she would have to call back after 6:00pm.

She then told me she loved David and wanted to know if we could come over to her house for Christmas dinner.  Hmmm... I wonder if her parents know she invited us to spend Christmas with them.  

David is 19 and although he has had his fair share of crushes this is the first time I have had to deal with girls calling him.  I am quite tickled right now!

Wishing my perfect little angle a Happy 19th Birthday!

19 years ago today God blessed me with a precious gift, a fragile little boy who would teach me so many valuable life lessons. Since birth David has taught me how to appreciate the wonderful joys of life. Even with out words David has inspired me, taught me how to be courageous, brave, an inspiration, how to preserver, and most importantly how to live intentionally, and be Christ like in all that I do.

David was a God send who despite all of the challenges he had to face, still somehow managed to save me from myself while helping me find my purpose. I am and always will be eternally grateful for David and God’s grace. I am so honored that God entrusted me as his mother. He has truly been the wind beneath my wings!

#hissmilekeepsmegoing

I can't thank you all enough for all of love and support.

This weekend while in North California for my nieces wedding David started showing signs of the onset of a cold.  I immediately started him on Garlic oil, vitamin C, and Zicam.  We returned home on Monday night and on Tuesday morning I sent him to school and then returned to work to enjoy Thanksgiving festivities with my munchkins at school.  During breakfast I received a call from David's school that he was looking grey so they had the nurse check his oxygen saturation levels and his SAT's were at 74%.  They immediately put him on oxygen and called 911.


I still struggle with anxiety over David getting sick and that phone call this morning took me back to a place I try to avoid.  Not only was my baby in respiratory distress, but I was also not by his side.  I tried to pull myself together as I rushed to be by his side.

The last time David's oxygen saturation levels dropped that low was on February 23rd, 2012. I took David to the emergency room for a runny nose, and within hours his organs began to fail and I was told that he was not going to survive the night.  I waited by his bedside pleading with God to spare his life and after days of anxiously waiting for David to respond, breath, open his eyes, and smile again, God granted us the miracle I so desperately pleaded for.  It took a year for David to fully recover, but I am the other hand has spent the last three years trying to emotionally heal from the ordeal.

I know that my God is bigger than any fear or circumstance but I still struggle with severe anxiety over the thought of loosing David.  Ironically I don't fear death, my fear having to live life without David.  I continue to lay theses thoughts and feelings at God's feet.  So David and I are going to spend the rest of our day with Jesus as we both recover from our scare.

Throughout the years I have learned that the best way to overcome crisis in your own life is to shift the focus from yourself towards others who might have it worse.

This past week has been draining and I have been attacked in almost every area of my life. Physically I am exhausted. My body aches and I'm fighting a cold. Financially I have been trying to resolve over $3000 of fraudulent charges on my credit card. In addition to all of the other obstacles I have been facing, I found out my mother is in the hospital with pneumonia, leaving me feeling helpless and too far away to help.

Despite everything going on in my life, this morning I decided that instead surrendering to the current state of crisis in my own life, that I would step out in faith and go serve others. No sooner then I pack my car with the food box and headed to deliver it, I got a phone call informing me that my mom is recovering and in stable condition. God is so faithful!

‪#‎pushingthroughthepain‬

I finished up my dental work today, but they were unable to save my crown.  The thought of another expense when I am already overwhelmed by other unexpected expenses got me really upset.  I tried to fight back the tears as I explained to the dentist that I was only going to be able to address our original dental concerns until I could figure out my finances. He left for a minute and then came back and told me that he wanted to make sure that I got all the work I needed, done and he did not want money to be an obstacle.  He then reduced the fee for the second crown by more than half and offered to cap my dental implant that  broke for almost nothing.  

Those concerns and worries were private conversation between God and I.   Once the dentist was done going over the new payment plan I could no longer hold back the tears.  The dentist had know idea that God was going to use him to answer my prayers.  I sat with my mouth open, a drill going, and tears running down my face, I knew God was with me.  #Godisalwaysfaithful

Although I'm seeking answers for David's current choking issues the only information that's been made clear is that we need to start finding new providers for David. I guess there was a recent policy change that is no longer allowing pediatric doctors to cover their patients with special needs until 21, they are now having to transfer to a don't care by the age 19.  This is the very reason I feared his transition to adulthood. iwe found to a great area that doesn't have individualized program.  We are being thrown into a whole new world that is unknown to us.  We are going to be forced to navigate through world that isn't necessarily designed for us, a world that can't accommodate David needs. Although David is an adult, he is mentally a toddler, and physically a teenager. I can't imagine him no longer being allowed to be treated in the pediatric facilities that have been such a comfort to us through out our medical challenges. I guess this is just part of our new world that I  have to get used to.

His neurosurgeon informed us on our last visit that he would no longer get paid for treating David. He even fought to keep him because of how complicated David and his surgeries have been. The only time David had surgery performed by a surgeon who did not know him (only because it was an emergency surgery and his neurosurgeon was out of town) the doctor cut open David's stomach looking for a tube that was still in his head and then sewed up his head leaving a broken shunt in it. It was an extremely traumatic experience that gives me tremendous anxiety about having to trust someone new with my babies brain. I thought this might only apply to specialist, but today at his appointment with his Pediatrician (his Pediatrician since birth) she recommended we start looking for a new provider since she can no longer see him once he turns 19. I have gotten pretty good at adjusting to change, but not when it comes to David's complicated medical issues.

Starting over after it took me 18 years to learn how to navigate through the pediatric system is very overwhelming. I know will get through it, I just need to pray my anxieties away.

When things fall out of place it is often so that better things can fall into place. Our last vacation was incredible but there were some unfortunate mishaps with the airlines that made our trip home very challenging. In the moment I was irritated and over whelmed but as a result of those mishaps David and I were given travel vouchers which made it affordable for me to plan another adventure with him.  All the mishaps and overtime paid off because David and I are Enjoying a much needed break while bonding in Hawaii!

Flushing away my worries with the perspective David gives me.

Flushing away my worries with the perspective David gives me.    

I would carry this kid to the moon and back if I could. David is my God sent angel and there's nothing this mother wouldn't do for her little warrior prince.  David is my strength, my motivation, inspiration, who I learned my courage from, and most importantly he is the one who taught me how to see the world through the eyes of Christ.  

There is no other population closer to Christ, the closest it comes to sin free humans. David doesn't know hate, he doesn't see challenges or obstacles, he has no fear, he doesn't notice differences, he just loves and he loves everyone the same, with his whole heart. Pure and genuine, David's motivation is to share his unconditional love with the world.   

What an honor it's been to be the one chosen by God to care for him.  I was given a unique gift from God that would allow me to see the world from a different perspective.  A beautiful and profound perspective!

After a long week of feeling overwhelmed and defeated I look at David's smile and I am reminded that no obstacle will ever be too big for us. I know that I have to keep smiling and sharing love to honor David's journey. 

As I lay all my burdens at the feet of my Lord and Savior, God takes all of my sorrows and allows me to find delight in my beautiful and extraordinary son.

                                 

18 years later and it still just as difficult when I have to kiss him goodbye as David's put under and off for a procedure. Even mild procedures still require me handing my precious child off to somebody else and praying that God take the wheel. The only way I get through it is to imagine that I'm hand David into the arms of Jesus.  This requires believing in his promises to us and standing firm on the word of God. We are trustful that God protect us.

He always does and always will. Our God is so mighty that he held David's hand and my heart at the same time.