Aimee,

We’ve known each other for several years now.  I have the utmost respect and admiration for you.  I have read your post several times and just feel so much pain from you and for you.  I can never pretend to understand what you have gone through and what you continue to go through.  It makes me want to follow you around and help you kick people’s butts.  :)  Like, I could be your cronie.  (Could you imagine that!?)  I understand why it is hard for you to see any positives in your situation.  I love this board so much because even though we squabble with each other at times, what it does is bring us together.  And my hope is that by you and other adults with CAH  sharing with the parents that the parents REALLY LISTEN to what you are saying and realize that our children could be feeling and experiencing the same thing you are.  That we learn every time you share with us.  I will not repeat the mistakes that have been made in your life, I’ll just make my own.  :)  But really, I think that the parents of today are making great strides in taking a stance with the doctors, getting awareness to the public about CAH and listening to their kids about how they feel about it.  I loved Danny’s post!  It made me smile.  I am always trying to look for the silver lining.  I don’t live my life in la la land where everything is just peachy keen.  I encourage my kids to express themselves no matter what!  It’s ok to say "THIS SUCKS!", it’s also ok to say, "this isn’t so bad" or  like Abby said this morning "I love having CAH".  I asked her why do you love it, she said, "because if I didn’t the nice lady and man wouldn’t have come over last night to talk to us about it and put us on TV.  Now everyone will know about it and we’ll be able to help more people!  People are going to be asking for my autograph!"  From the mouth of a 9 year old.  As a mom and police wife, I tend not to trust the media but know how to use them the way they use us.  I know I’ve rambled on, I guess my point is, thank you for your courage to share with us your life.  Each time you write, you relive these situations and the pain it has caused.  I thank you for putting yourself out there inspite of that!  I hope you realise how much of a blessing you are to this family!

Much love,

Tonia