The Child

It seems we finally have things under control with our oh-so-not-so-little girl. Her condition, which relates back to her cardiac troubles at birth, has been diagnosed as Noonan Syndrome. It’s genetic and there are so many characteristics of this condition on both sides of the families that it is a wonder that it took twelve years to find a doctor to identify it, even though her symptoms are not severe. You can follow the link below and read up on it if you like.

http://www.noonansyndrome.org/home.htm

A word here to parents, never, I MEAN NEVER, let a lay person try to diagnose your child’s affliction. We had teachers, clergy, school counselors and numerous other non-medically trained individuals put their two cents in. Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, your child needs Ritalin, your child’s just dumb. Yes, at least one supposed educator was that cold. Deflect their assertions. If your child has issues have them checked out by a pediatrician and have them recommend a specialist, for Cassidy that was an endocrinologist.

Our child was accused of being impossible to deal with and at the same time described as the most pleasant, marvelous and hard-working student in the classroom. Her grades did not correspond with all the hard work. Everyday was a struggle, breakdowns and battles, both at school and at home. Simultaneous to this she had flat-lined on the growth chart. It took us a long time to put the contradictions together. Her stubbornness was a red flag she threw up to let us know there was something else lurking beneath the surface. It wasn’t just red-head syndrome. Thank goodness we did not just cave in and start stuffing Ritalin down her throat.

The Noonan Syndrome diagnosis has allowed us to develop both a medical and scholastic plan of success. I am not a fan of medication, especially for children, but it is amazing when you find the right course of action. For Cassidy, it is twofold - 1. Pharmaceutically, it is not very intense – treating thyroid issues and injecting growth hormones - no mind altering drugs; and, 2. Academically, we’ve changed schools to one that specifically deals with children who learn differently.

I've downplayed the details of the medical and institutional testing we put Cassidy through to reach this point but she took it like a trooper. She has also adjusted well to her new school. It’s nice to have our daughter back. At least that part of the puzzle has settled down lately.

Throughout this chronicle I’ll be inserting lyrics and snippets of my own to help describe my feelings on certain issues and to lighten things up a bit. Here’s a song I wrote about the controversial nature of drugging our children.

Oh Renee, be patient! We'll get to you eventually.

Medicate the Child
By Bob Masterson © Old Paint Music 2006

Your son’s a little different
Your daughter’s cracking wise
We don’t like non-conformity
Let’s medicate the child

Medicate the child
Medicate the child
We might crush their spirit
Or kill their will but
Let’s medicate the child

The classroom’s overcrowded
It cramps the teacher’s style
This pill will keep them in their seats
So let’s medicate the child

Your grades are less than average
We’ll have you classified
And pull you from the school reports
When we medicate the child

Medicate the child
Medicate the child
We might crush their spirit
Or kill their will but
Let’s medicate the child

There’s Ritalin for Mozart
For Picasso a special vile
Einstein’s brain is too untamed
Let’s medicate that child

Edison’s precocious
Jessie Owen’s running wild
That Freud kid just gave us the slip
Let’s medicate that child

Medicate the child
Medicate the child
We might crush their spirit
Or kill their will but
Let’s medicate the child

We don’t know the long term effects
Or possible adult defects
Are we building a more complex complex?
But let’s medicate the child

The pharmacy’s the answer
Hey, it’s only for a while
Tell the kids “Just say no to drugs!”
Then medicate the child

Medicate the child
Medicate the child
Tell the kids “Just say no to drugs!”
Then medicate the child