Beatrice Groth

Childbearing and parenting is an important phase of a couple’s life.  It is a time that brings about sudden changes, thoughts and anxieties about additional income, adequate accommodation for the additional member/members of the family, should they be multiple births.

During gestation, disability or having children with special needs, is in fact the least of things that pass through the minds of parents, until diagnosed before or after parturition. In which case, fear and most times confusion sets in, about the rigours of care, policies, dos and donts that are attached to them.

  Dirichi is my granddaughter, who came to this world in a little over a year ago, blind with Michrophtalmia.  At the time of Dirichi’s birth in Nigeria, I wasn’t able to assist my daughter at the most important time of her life, being a student far away in London. But I kept on constant surveillance on phone to monitor her well being and safe delivery.

However, three days after her birth, when she was reported not to have opened her eyes, I began to panic and pray, seeking God’s divine intervention. My son in law, a medical doctor, my daughter and all members of the family got our first wave of shock, and we began to ask questions, why and how this happened.

I suddenly realized what pains other families who have children with special needs, may have suffered. My daughter and her partner recovered faster from the pains. As soon as the baby was diagnosed with Michrophthalmia, they began to research best care for their special daughter.

Dirichi is over a year old, she is receiving full attention of her parents, grandparents, uncles, cousins, and her medical team. She’s got all sensory related toys, to help with her growing up and recognizing things through feeling, hearing and smelling. We as a family, have developed more interests in learning about disabilities and how to support helpless people with special needs.

My Didi, like I fondly call her, has become a greater part of my life as a mother and grandmother. My relationship with our creator, The Almighty God, has become even more rekindled, knowing that He knows it all. I had always cared for people with special needs, not knowing that I would be given the privilege to be blessed with one. Dirichi is really a blessing to me and my family, we shall keep loving her, and pray that God in His infinite mercy, grants us the strength and wisdom to serve Him well, while caring for His Special Child.

 Prophet TB Joshua is my prayer partner, praying with him on http://www.emmanuel.tv has been a great support and hopeful, as he always says that, ‘God is still saying something’ Emmanuel! God is with us, Matt. 1:23. Good Morning 2015, in Jesus Name, Amen.