Hey everybody! My name is Sylvana, I just joined baby hold yesterday and Ive already fallen in love with it, everyone is so helpful . I just thought Id share my story with everyone.

When I was 18, I found out I was pregnant. I was scared, nervous, anxious, I knew I wasnt ready for a child, I was only a child myself. When I was 15 weeks pregnant, I went for my first ultrasound. My Dr. had told me that I had low amniotic fluid (a sign of infection). A couple weeks after that, I had started bleeding heavily (placenta previa). I went to the hospital and they sent me to a high risk hospital in Toronto. I stayed in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks while they ran a number of tests on me. After multiple blood tests, ultrasounds, a fetal MRI and a fetal echocardiogram, I was diagnosed with a virus called Cytomegalovirus or CMV. This virus is actually very common, but rare to catch within pregnancy. 50-80% of people catch this virus and have NO symptoms what-so-ever, so of course I knew nothing about it, I wasnt sick.

My daughter, Nevaeh was born on August 5 2005, 4:00 pm weighing 2lbs 10oz, 35 cm long. Dr.'s told her father and I she wouldnt make it past 3 hrs old. They had intabated her for 12 hrs and decided that she still would not make it. After the 12 hrs, they had "pulled the plug". Nevaeh will be 3 this August. She has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, shes hearing impaired and visually impaired in her right eye. Despite all the odds, she is not a "vegetable" as the dr.'s said she would be, she is still very tiny, but mentally she is up to par. Physically, shes only at a 8 month level but with physio and her daycares help, shes doing amazing.

If anyone has any stories about special needs children that they would like to share, I would love to hear them.

Thank you for sharing such an inspiring story. We wish Nevaeh health and happiness!

I'm a teacher for special needs kids which is the most amazing career anyone could ask for. My 12 year old is also special needs although she is considered mild on the spectrum. It can be hard for people who aren't exposed to the love and miracles these children give those around them on a daily basis to understand what a blessing they are. You are an inspiration to young mothers, and new parents faced with adversity. Thank you for sharing your story. Much love and many blessings to you and Nevaeh.

i was just barely 18 when my daughter was born jan 19/05. she has ADHD, Sensory integration issues(under/overload), moderate/severe OCD (depends on what kind of day we're having), and has just been diagnosed with aspergers. she is a great kid despite her problems, and although it is a huge challenge, i wouldnt trade her for the world.

Aspegers.....isnt that a form of Autism, not familier with it, Im just wondering

its on the autism spectrum, but not quite the same thing. she can communicate with other people, is very verbal (sometimes too much), she pretty much doesnt have any nonverbal communication skills(ie reading facial expressions) she does not understand empathy at all, and is very upset by any minor change in routine. her speech and cognitive development are up to par or more with her peers, which is what sets aspergers apart from autism.