In my daughter's eyes she does see a hero, and that I'm strong and wise and know no fear. But in all truth, it is her that I see the hero, the strong and wise one and definately the one with no fear.

This page is dedicated to my brave daughter Crystal. Crystal was the surviving twin born on November 1, 1982. Her sister Charity, I knew had died in the womb, but I still held on, trying to not go into labor so Crystal could have a fighting chance. That was the hardest thing I have had to do in my entire life, to carry a child I knew had already gone to God. My heart was broken, but Crystal let me know there was still life within me by giving me little kicks. She was fighting for her life. Unfortunately, my body rejected Charity and I went into labor. They gave me steroids to try and stop the contractions, but nothing worked. I was taken to the operating room, preparing to have a c-section. Charity Hope entered the world without breath, weighing 2lbs 1 ounce and Crystal came into this world weighing 3lbs. Crystal was very small, and had to be put on a ventilator among other things. She had so many wires on here, you could barely see her little body. Crystal stayed in the hospital from Nov. 1st to the end of Jan. When I brought her home, I didn't know there would be any long term problems with her premature birth. But when she didn't sit up by herself, nor crawl when it was time, I took her to the Dr. I was told then that she had cerebral palsy, which was caused by a brain bleed from being born prematurely. I didn't understand what cerebral palsy was and was devestated when I found out. But I was her mom, and she needed to be taken care of and loved.

Crystal is now 22 years old, almost 23 and is totally dependent on someone for all of her needs, and has been in a wheelchair since she was 4. We were very fortunate that the brain bleed did not affect her mental capabilities nor her speech. Crystal graduated from a regular high school with regular kids, and with honors May 2001.

Crystal depends on her grandmother and I to feed her, bathe her, dress her and things like that. She is capable of using the computer even though her motorskills are not the best. Her favorite things are God, family, computer, Disney, movies, t.v., going to the Mall and movies.

Crystal has been through a lot in her 22 years, but she continues greet each day with a smile. Sometimes I look at her and wonder what she has to smile about, but to her, she smiles at life. Crystal does not know a stranger and has so much compassion for people. Even in her situation, she can see past that to someone else's pain. She is always there to give an encouraging word when someone is down. She usually sees the best in all situations. I am sure she has some fear, who wouldn't when they have to totally depend on others for their very life?

Crystal is my daughter and I love her with all my heart. I know there are some days when I am not in the best of mood, or I am depressed, but she tries to look past that, and to understand. She has so many obstacles in her way, but yet she gets up each day as if it were the happiest of days. When it is cloudy and raining outside, Crystal becomes the sunshine. I thank her for being so understanding during the times when I could be so very difficult for one reason or another. She says sometimes, "you know, I may have problems, but there is always someone else out there worse off than I am mom". I don't know if I could be so positive.

Thank you Crystal for being my daughter and for always being there for me! Thank you for your unconditonal love. You truly are my bright and shining morning star. And I thank God for sending you to me. You have touched my life in ways I cannot even explain. I am very proud of you!

Thanks for rescuing me.

Love Always

Mom

Crystal a few days old.

Crystal and her brother at her prom.