Finding Nemo

    As part of her birthday celebration Amaya went to go see Finding Nemo in 3D with her friend Mason. Ever since we first watched it we instantly loved it. I, like many other parents whose child has a limb difference like that Nemo has a "lucky fin" just like our children do. When I first heard Nemo's dad talk about his short fin, I smiled and teared up. We started calling Amaya's shorter leg her lucky fin. Somehow it gave it a new perspective, new outlook. My favorite part is when Nemo goes to school for the first time and meets other "kids." One of the fishes asks, "what's wrong with his fin?" Marlin, Nemo's dad tells them that he was born that way and they call it his lucky fin. Then all the other kids start saying what's different about them, one has a short tentacle, one is H2O intolerant, and one says, "I'm obnoxious." I love that line. It makes me smile so much. Because sometimes we meet such rude kids who wonder what's wrong with Amaya, and I just smile inside my head as I recall that line.
    Another thing I love about Finding Nemo is Marlin's determination to find Nemo. He has to overcome his own fears, and swim through the ocean. On his journey he has to rely on others for help, overcome obstacles, trust his instincts, try new things and be brave. This is similar to the journey we parents go through for our children, especially if they have special needs. We find that we have more strength, more energy, more resilience than we thought we did, because we had to. Some how we find it. Our love for our children takes us on a journey we never dreamed of. We come out of it different people; with new friends, new allies.
    And when the days are tough and the journey rough we have Dory's words to guide us, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming." We'll get through whatever challenge was there.
    Thank you all for being a part of this journey. Through its rough days, and nights we have your friendship and support. Through the joys and accomplishments we have you cheering us on and through the obstacles we have you rooting us on. Thank you! Your support means the world to us!

Amaya and Mason at the movies watching Finding Nemo.