Colleen paid attention to the symptoms and advocated for her baby, Grace, ensuring that Grace got the treatment she needed.
The power of parents:
Why it’s vital for parents to advocate for their children at the doctor
As parents, we’re responsible for providing our children with the best possible care and treatment, especially when it comes to their health. We invest our time and money in making sure our children have access to the best doctors, medicines, and treatments, but there is one aspect of healthcare that parents should not overlook: advocating for their children at the doctor. When children are ill, it is up to the parents to ensure their condition is accurately diagnosed and proper treatments are provided. (This might sound new to you, but it’s true) In order to do that, parents must be willing to speak up and advocate for their children. This is the power of parents.
Colleen knew how to do this. She gently and effectively advocated for her daughter, Grace, not only helping her for a day, but ensuring the best possible outcome future by obtaining immediate treatment.
What have you learned from this experience, and what can other patients/parents do to ensure the best outcome with a medical provider?
- Parents have a special grace to know what’s happening with their kids.
- “You are the default expert in this scenario. I (the parent) am the one in charge.” A doctor’s job is to analyze and advise. I have every right to say I don’t agree with the doctor’s approach, findings, or analysis. I want to try something different. I can say “Yes or no, stay or go.”
Colleen’s Book Description:
God’s Precious Gift: A Special Needs Child is the heartwarming story of a mommy and daddy who find out their daughter has special needs. This news is hard for them to hear, so they take it to prayer where Jesus answers them with loving patience. He helps them to understand that their child is a gift to them not in spite of her special needs but because of them. In simple ways that are accessible to young children and parents alike, this book explores the concepts of God’s Will for our lives, the real purpose of our time on Earth (to get to Heaven), and the fact that God does not make mistakes. Each child is a deliberate gift to his or her family. With vibrant illustrations and relatable dialogue, this book is perfect for any family to read, especially families blessed with special needs children.
You can buy the book at the following:
Colleen wrote a book as she was adjusting to her daughter’s diagnoses, and it’s a great message for any parent with a child with special needs.
Who is Colleen?
Colleen Keefe Faul is the first time, self-published author of God’s Precious Gift: A Special Needs Child. At 5 months old, Colleen’s daughter, Grace began exhibiting strange arm motions and a regression in development. Colleen brought these concerns to her pediatrician and even to the ER. At every turn, medical professionals dismissed her concerns. Finally Colleen took matters into her own hands and demanded that her daughter be tested only to be proven right. Grace was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
Her daughter’s diagnosis pulled Colleen deeper into her faith, where she found consolation in the form of creativity. She was inspired to write a faith-based children’s book for the special needs community that was as much for the parents as it was for the children. Her mission is to help members of the special needs community, their loved ones, and their caretakers find peace in God’s Will.
Her daughter’s diagnosis pulled Colleen deeper into her faith, where she found consolation in the form of creativity. She was inspired to write a faith-based children’s book for the special needs community that was as much for the parents as it was for the children. Her mission is to help members of the special needs community, their loved ones, and their caretakers find peace in God’s Will.
You can reach Colleen:
Facebook Pages: https://www.facebook.com/colleenkeefefaulauthor , https://www.facebook.com/gracestscjourney
Instagram: @colleenkeefefaul
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenkeefefaul/
Website: www.GodsPreciousGift.com
Connect with Jen:
- Send me a message HERE
- Facebook: @thejenhardy
- Instagram: @thejenhardy
- Twitter: @thejenhardy
