2009 Hope Child of the Year

Vercaylin's Story...

⁷And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn (a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted. [Job. 2:6.]

“2 Corinthians 12:7 (Amplified Bible)”

Vercaylin was 6 months old when she first started showing signs of what we now know were seizures. To be honest it was quite frightening for me as her mother because I had never known anyone to have seizures in this manner. When she had her first one she was lying in my arms and looked as though she was falling asleep, I laid her down for a nap and in about 2 minutes I noticed she was turning blue. I immediately picked her up and she began to cry. Well my first thought was that she must have just stopped breathing or that something was caught in her throat and that her crying dislodged whatever it was and this episode was over. Maybe I shouldn’t have done so, but I dismissed it, because I truly did feel that my child was safe and that the danger was over.  A few days later she did the very same thing only when I picked her up she did not cry, her entire body was limp and she was clammy, nervous as I was I did what I could to revive her and immediately took her to Children’s Hospital. There she was observed and tested and nothing was found. But when your 6 month old is doing what mine did, this isn’t something that a parent would let go of just because the doctor’s couldn’t find anything wrong.

I told my mother-in-law about what had happened, who then told me about my young sister-in-law and niece who both have a seizure disorder that causes them to do this very same thing.  That is when she referred me to Dr. Stephen Bates in the Neurology clinic at Children’s Hospital.  He ordered test after test after test and even referred us to see a pediatric cardiologist to rule out problems with her heart. In the end it was confirmed that Vercaylin did in fact have a seizure disorder.

Epilepsy is not a death sentence to those with the disorder.  It does not mean that we are to cower or hide anyone with this disorder and not allow them to live. Sure it does come with its pitfalls and a setback, but what in life doesn’t. Epilepsy is something that they have to deal with in their everyday life, but it is all in how they deal with it that will make the difference.  Insuring that the community is informed and family support are very important as well to those with the disorder.

⁸Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; ⁹But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

“2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (Amplified Bible)”

As her mother I do have my good days and my bad days, but my good days outweigh the bad ones.  Please understand, I have fallen to my knees on many occasions asking God to remove this from my child, I’m not turning a blind eye to what she has. I am aware of the risks and the physical limitations that come along with this disorder, but I do not put a limit on the life that she is to live.  It is hard to see your child go through something like this especially when you know that there is nothing that you can do to stop it. I can’t reach in and pull it out of her and toss it away.  I can’t kiss it in the same manner as I would a scraped knee and place a bandage over it and make it better.  If it were in my power to do so, I would take on this burden for her, but I can’t so as her mother it is my job to ensure that my daughter, my baby girl lives her life to the best of her abilities despite this disorder.  

People are born with disorders on a daily basis, which does not mean that they are not entitled to a normal life.  I do not view them as disabled because they were given an inability; they are simply differently-able individuals, meaning they have a different way of enjoying their life.  Their disorders are not hindrances only challenges, given time, which can be conquered. Their lives are as normal as yours and mine, and my daughter is no different.  She is as normal of a 9 year old as they come.  And when you think about it, who or what really determines what it means to have a normal life? We as parents make that determination! In my eyes she is as special as they come, the only difference between her and other children her age is that she was born with epilepsy. Our children don’t know something is not normal in their lives unless we treat them in that way, which in turn makes the deciding factor on their life.

¹⁰So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

2 Corinthians 12:10 (Amplified Bible)

Now 9 years later Vercaylin is still my little bright and shining star who knows no boundaries! Yes she does in fact have epilepsy but the disorder does not have her. We have raised her to believe that there is noting that she can’t do, it’s only a matter in how she does it.  She has been taught that having epilepsy is not a punishment, but a challenge for her to overcome.  Although it is challenging at times, she can and still will enjoy a normal childhood full all sorts of fun and excitement.  Do I really consider her to be normal?  Yes why not!

Who is Vercaylin? She is a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a niece, a cousin & a friend to many.  She is a beautiful 9 year old girl whose favorite color (right now) is any shade of blue. She loves to bake, go bike riding and anything dealing with crafts. She loves to boss her big brother around, and he may tell you that she is at times his personal pest, but aren’t all little sisters. She was once a cheerleader through NLR Upward Basketball & Cheerleading. She is currently a member of the Jr. Usher Board, Children’s Choir, Spirit of Excellence Praise Dance & Youth Ministry at St. Mark Community Church of Jacksonville. She loves and adores animals, especially her 7 year old Lab/Gordon Setter Mystie. She’s a wiz on her Nintendo DS and even takes out time to teach her grandmother how to use the computer. She has a big heart and loves to help other people, especially children.  She recently learned about children in foster care not having mothers or fathers and now would like for my husband and I to adopt a baby so that it can have a family. She loves to roller skate, go bowling & hike Pinnacle Mountain.   Her favorite subject is math, she loves to dance, especially tap dancing and has a desire to take taekwondo.  She also loves to jump on the trampoline, she loves to go swimming, play soccer & kickball, and believe it or not, despite her small stature she even has an interest in wrestling.  To be honest, she is a tomboy at heart, but I wouldn’t suggest that you look into her eyes when talking to her, because combined with her gorgeous smile she will pull you under her spell. Oh and did I mention that she was a HUGE Tyler Perry fan? She can quote every line of every play, word for word.

She loves to help around the house and her specialty is dusting and vacuuming. She loves to read and make up her own stories and desires to be a fashion designer or veterinarian when she grows up.  She’s had a few educational setbacks due to a side effect of her medication, but as in everything else, that was a challenge we met head on and conquered.

As I have said before, my daughter has no limits or boundaries, only a different way of doing things in her life.  Epilepsy does not have her….she has epilepsy!

Vercaylin