We get by with a little help from our friends....

The past week and a half, we have learned so much.... We have learned how to (successfully) manage eczema, the impact of seasonal allergies, how to reduce this impact, how to manage asthma and food allergies, and most importantly how to encourage Morgan to stay on board with how to manage these things. We've spoken with teams of doctors, undergone many, many tests, met with some of the most intelligent and caring nurses I've ever met, met with child psychologists, the list goes one and on. But the biggest impact has been the "big kids" in the program. These are the kids who are mostly homeschooled because they are way too sick to make it into a classroom, kids who love sports, but can't partake because their asthma or skin issues are too flared by the exertion, kids who don't have social lives because when they have a eczema flare they look like they have ground beef covering their skin (seriously!). These kids have come from all corners of the country to get one thing, relief! They have enriched this program for us in ways you cannot imagine. All of them have been such wonderful examples for Morgan, whether it be providing her encouragement or by just entertaining her for the 100th hour with yet another game of "frogger." One 13 year old boy told Morgan, "you might have a (eczema) flare, but now you know what you've got to do, only look forward kiddo, don't look back." One 13 year old told me today, after overhearing my conversation with the child psychologist, "Maybe Morgan is tired of being the only one in your whole family who isn't allowed to itch? Maybe she should be able to call you out on it too?" Brilliant! (Yes, if I itch, it won't turn into a horrible rash because I don't have eczema, but maybe she won't be resentful about being the "only one" anymore. Thank you little lady!!!) So thank you to the "big kids." You're kindness, courage, and "silver lining thinking" are all the qualities I want for my kids, you've made this mama happy....