Website on CRS

http://www.deafblindinternational.org/network_rubella.html

Website on CRS

http://www.sense.org.uk/help_and_advice/research_practice_development/rubella_conference

Information on Manifestations of CRS.

The manifestations of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can be grouped according to time of onset into newborn, extended, and delayed CRS. The delayed manifestations are not present in early life and include the following: (1) endocrinopathies: diabetes, thyroid disease, and growth hormone deficiency; (2) deafness; (3) ocular damage: glaucoma, keratic precipitates, keratoconus, corneal hydrops, and absorption of the cataractous lens; (4) vascular effects: fibromuscular proliferation of the intima, sclerosis of arteries, systemic hypertension secondary to renal disease, and subretinal neovascularization; and (5) progressive rubella panencephalitis. Several mechanisms of pathogenesis of the damage have to be considered for the delayed manifestations, including (1) growth of the virus in tissues, resulting in a reduced growth rate and shortened life-span of the cells; (2) autoimmune responses, initially stimulated by the infection; (3) genetic susceptibility; (4) vascular damage by the viral infection with further stenosis or occlusion of the vessels later; (5) reactive hypervascularization; and (6) chronic persistence of the virus in the tissue with subsequent extension of the infection to other areas.                 

Blind in One Eye

This last weekend I attended my uncle's funeral.  He was blind in the opposite eye as me.  I loved the fact he could see the world as I see it. We didn't ever have to say a word about what it was like, because we already knew.

To have someone sit on your blind side and not even know they are there until they call your name. To stand in the aisle of a store looking at a item and not realizing someone is trying to get through the aisle. To have your kids make faces at you when you can't even see them. To get something in your good and not be able to see to get it out. Ouch, I dislike that when it happens. I favor sitting edge of the table so I can see everyone at the table, I'm sure my uncle did the same thing.

Blind in one eye isn't the worst thing in the world. I have often told myself at least I can see my children's faces, write a letter, read a book, and smile when someone smiles at me. I can take pictures and look at them.

Life is a blessing, because I have realized the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. I had a friend in high school tell me how sorry he felt for me, because I couldn't see out of two eyes. I told him, I felt sorry for him because he didn't know how lucky he was to see out of two eyes. 

My writing is moving forward inch my inch, word by word. Stories creep in that I never thought would show their faces. Words of anger, sadness, and loneliness ring loud and clear in between the lines of sentences.  I place a shield of armor on my chest moments before the stillness stirs beneath my fingers and words flow that make my fingers dance to a rhythm my heart loves to sing. 

I Love Being Positive.

I decided a long time ago, it's not worth for me to be upset that I can't see out of my right eye. I have learned that it's better for me to focus on that fact, I can see out of my other eye. I can see the sunset, a smile grow on my childrens' faces. I can walk by myself and drive a car.  I am able to cook, clean, and help my children. I can walk into a library and pick a book off of a shelf and read it. I can take pictures of my grandson.
I know why God gives us trials.  To help us value what we do have.  I think it's better to look at glass half full, than half empty.

A little information about CRS

http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site605/mainpageS605P0.html

Why do I write?

When I write I feel a warmth as though a spark of sunshine is coming in through dark clouds.

Why I have had this strong desire to write. I guess it's because I want to share with the world my life...a life I knew I was given on purpose. 

Here is a little pargarph about me, before I took my first breath.

Seven months before her arrival, Pamela Shelton's parents, received the news from a medical professional that the German measles had infected their unborn baby girl. Doctors expressed a growing concerns as Pamela's due date approached. They grumbled that the German measles could and would cause countless physical impairments and health concerns in Pamela's life. These health concerns included blindness, hearing loss, heart murmurs, mental retardation, and mircocephaly.  Pamela's parents ignored those doctors suggesting abortion and turned their attention to their  God by praying for their daughter's safe arrival.