THE STORY OF MY LIFEAaron Lucas Sia

Then Now

GOD CHOOSES MOMS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN FOR A PURPOSE ~ EMILY BOMBECKMost women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by

habit.

This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of special needs children. Did you ever

wonder how mothers of special needs children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over the Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs

His angels to make notes in a giant ledger:

GOD CHOOSES MOMS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN FOR A PURPOSE ~ EMILY BOMBECK

Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint, Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint, Cecilia.”

“Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint … give her Gerard. He’s used to profanity.”

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, “Give her a special needs child.” The angel is curious. “Why this one God? She’s so happy.”

“Exactly,” says God. “Could I give a special needs child to a mother who does not know laughter?

That would be cruel.”

GOD CHOOSES MOMS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN FOR A PURPOSE ~ EMILY BOMBECK

“But has she patience?” asks the angel.

“I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she’ll

handle it.”

“I watched her today. She has that feeling of self that is so rare and so necessary in a

mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in

her world, and that is not going to be easy.”

GOD CHOOSES MOMS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN FOR A PURPOSE ~ EMILY BOMBECK

“But, Lord, I don’t think she even believes in You.”

God smiles. “No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.”

The angel gasps, “selfishness? Is that a virtue?”

God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here

is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a ‘spoken word.’ She will never consider a ‘step’ ordinary.

GOD CHOOSES MOMS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN FOR A PURPOSE ~ EMILY BOMBECK

When her child says ‘Momma’ for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people see My creations. I will

permit her to see clearly the things I see … ignorance, cruelty, prejudice … and allow her to

rise above them. She will never be alone, I will be at her side every day of her life, because she is

doing My work as surely as she is here by my side.”

“And what about her patron saint?” asks the angel, pen poised in midair.

God smiles. “A mirror will suffice.”

My name is Aaron Lucas Sia. I was born on August 11, 2006 in Jakarta, Indonesia at 34 gestational weeks via emergency c-section due to prolapsed cord. I was no longer breathing and had to be intubated and put on a ventilator the first 24 hours of my life. I weighed 1700 grams.

I was finally allowed home at the age of 3 weeks when my weight reached 2000g. At the age of 2 months, I was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia and had to be admitted into the hospital for 1 week.

At age 4 months, after an inconclusive MRI in Singapore, where I had to be sedated and intubated, I was diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy.Thus started my life of daily multiple rehabilitation programs.

In July 2007, I had a seizure and was once again admitted into the hospital for about 1 week for aspiration pneumonia.An EEG test in Singapore the following month indicated that I had a partial seizure on my right brain and I was started on anti-seizure medication.

In March 2008, I developed a fever of more than 40 degrees celsius and had to be rushed to the hospital ER past midnight. After blood test was done, I was diagnosed with:~ Dengue Fever~ Typhoid Fever~ Urinary Tract Infection~ Aspiration Pneumonia

My parents rushed me to a hospital in Singapore immediately and, there, the diagnosis was Aspiration Pneumonia. Further tests indicated that I could not swallow and had to be fitted with Neo-Gestational Tube (NGT) and be fed through the tube to prevent further incidents of aspiration pneumonia.

While at the hospital, my parents discovered The Institutes that changed my future forever.

My parents attended the above course.

I started on The Institutes Home Program on September 2008 and made my first visit to The Institutes in Philadelphia on October 2008.

During initial evaluation,~ I could see … but not very well~ I could understand a few words~ I could move my arms and legs with minimal

bodily movement~ I can make some sounds but had no speech~ I can hold things in my hands

~ I had no reaction to threatening sounds~ I had no sense of pain~ I wasn’t crawling~ I could not respond with a cry if I were in

danger~ I was cortically blind on my left eye

By January 2009, I could alreadycrawl on the floor.

By March 2009, I was alreadydetoxified off the anti-seizuremedications.

By June 2009, I no longer needed to be fed through the tube.

By August 2009, I could creep on my hands and knees

By August 2009, I could put weight on my feet while being assisted with a device.

By February 2010, I couldstand with the wall againstmy back.

By May 2010, I could walkwhile holding on to the Overhead Ladder.

I said my first word sometime in April 2011. I took my first independent steps sometime

in December 2011.

NOW I CAN Read independently with total understanding Understand complete vocabulary and proper

sentences Walk independently for a maximum of 11

meters Eat solid food Feed myself See equally well with both

eyes TALK ALL THE TIME!

ALL THANKS TO:

My Daddy

My Mommy

My Brothers

My Wonderful Family!

MOST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GLENN DOMAN AND ALL THE STAFF AT THE INSTITUTES!

Without them, I would have never been able to achieve what I have achieved thus far!