Giving Honor to Whom Honor is Due

Last night was one of those nights that I didn't want to end. My husband can attest to this fact, as he practically had to drag me away from the festivities. It was a night for celebrating!

We were celebrating two very influential people in our lives....our children's Pediatrician Dr. Rick Rogers, and Shirley Gordon, the nurse who helped to pioneer the Special Needs Program at our Pediatric office.

The Celebration honoring Dr. Rick Rogers and Shirley was called "Miracles Begin With You!" and was hosted by a local Tyler family. It was a fundraiser to benefit the Children's Miracle Network of East Texas. CMN funds the Special Needs Clinic that Brianne has been a part of since she was released from the NICU in 1997.

To say that these 2 people and this program has been an oasis in our desert is an understatement! The Special Needs Program was designed in 1996 to provide "health care services which are family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally competent" for children with special health care needs and their families (taken from their Mission Statement).

Just a few of the many ways we have benefitted:

A compassionate, caring Physician and Nurse who have contact with all the different Specialists that Brianne sees, and they help us coordinate her services to ensure that there is no gap.

A lengthy annual appointment to go over all of Brianne's medications, therapies, treatments, and any new issues that may have arisen.

The ability to call a Nurse (who knows our special child) directly with a question, concern or need for an appointment without having to leave a voice message.

An annual picnic designed specifically for families with special needs children.

A connection with other special needs families in the East TX area.

A listening ear when no answer is needed...just an opportunity to vent.

I could go on...

But the greatest gift that we have received from Dr. Rogers and Shirley over these past 16 years is the gift of their friendship. These are 2 amazing human beings who know how to love well!! They work long hours and give of themselves continuously and often with little or no recognition at all!

So, Wade and I were thrilled to be able to join with numerous others last night to say, "Thank You for all that you have done!" "Your efforts have not gone unnoticed." "You have made a difference in the lives of us and our most precious posessions, our children!"

I can't believe that I didn't take more pictures last night. I didn't even take a picture of Dr. Rogers, so I had to dig through scrapbooks to find one of him with Brooke a LONG time ago! He is the Pediatrician for all 3 of our kids.

And the picture of Shirley receiving her balloon bouquet last night was taken with "Corn Pop the Clown."