Sometimes I wonder who has the disability?

McKenna on day one...you can see her encephalocele (an opening in the back of the skull in which the lining of the brain pushes out) in the photo..it was 2/3 the size of her head and filled with brain fluid and tissue. 

 McKenna and I were up and out early this morning to meet a doctor who we had never met before. We didn't make the appointment--the social security people did. They need proof that she is disabled. As if a life long history of an IQ score in the 40's, an educational and medical paper trail a mile long and a list of specialists that she sees on a regular basis could not have confirmed that she is, in fact, disabled. Even she, with an IQ of 46, can tell you with certainty that she has a disability. I would venture to say that any one who meets her could probably do the same...but off we went to a Psychologist to have him test her to say what we all know..

After a rough start, the testing began. He asked her what her height and weight was and when there was a long pause, I began to answer. I was abruptly chastised by the annoyed doctor. "I know you know the answer. I am asking her." Okay, then sir...but if you don't want to be here all day, I may need to give you some information so that you can fill in the blanks on your form, is what I wanted to say. But, instead, I sat  quietly as she told him that she works at taco bell, is independent in getting herself ready for the day and can make simple meals for herself...none of which are true...at all. He began to get inpatient with her processing delay and sheepishly asked me to answer the question if she couldn't answer in 5 seconds. If he only knew that 5 seconds is not long enough for her to answer any question..but he is the "expert"-- not me.

He asked her how to spell "stop." No response. Then he asked her spell "go." After responding with the answer, "Can I stay home from school today?" I was hoping that he may be seeing a trend here. Then he asked her what 2+2 was. She said she didn't know and so he asked her to add 1+1. She unfolded her hand and began to count on her fingers. Proudly, she answered 3.

Time to go home, right? You would think so. But there was more testing. And the government has made two more appointments that I am suppose to take her to prove her disability. They state in all the correspondence that they sent regarding these appointments that they are paying for this testing...I think that would be you and I who are paying...

Sitting by my 18 year old daughter who functions more at a 5 year old level, I could not have been more proud of her. I can't even tell you why, but each time I looked over at her, I felt so thankful  that I get to be her Mom. It is an incredible honor--one I don't always appreciate in the way that I should. My experiences with her changed me in ways I didn't even know needed changing..and stretched me farther than I could have ever thought possible. Through her disability, God has ordered by priorities.

I have said that McKenna is not able to read much, or write much....but she loves much. And I am so thankful that she is mine..