4:36 PM Tue, Mar 07, 2006 | Permalink |
Tania Finlayson is an amazing woman with cerebral palsy who's overcome life's biggest challenges -- even giving birth to a little boy. The funny thing is the story was supposed to air yesterday (Monday) before the Finlaysons had their baby. Being a father of two, I didn't want to bother the family after the delivery because I know how crazy (and sleepless) those first couple of days with a newborn can be. But Ken and Tania insisted we come the day day the baby was born.
Frankly, I thought they were nuts. I was also convinced that there was no way Tania's doctors would allow a TV crew into her room just a few hours after a C-section for a breach baby. But like she's done with just about everything else in her life, Tania proved conventional wisdom wrong.
The delivery was seamless, the baby beautiful. The couple doesn't want people to think they go about advocating parenthood for anyone with a disability. But they (and little Michael) are living proof that even a life-limiting condition like cerebral palsy needn't keep couples from sharing their love and building a family.
yay! I love this story about Tania. My niece was born with Cerebral palsy 18 years ago. Like Tania, she is very physically challanged (can't walk, etc). When she was little we insisted that she not be treated different. She graduated from high schcool with honors and is now attending a University. She's half way through her Freshman year and has a 3.7 GPA. She's on a committee to help adapt the University for people in wheel chairs.
She is majoring in Psychology, minoring in political Sciences.
she hasn't had a mentor - it is rare to come across another person with severe Cerebral Palsy who is living life fully like Tania.
I thank you for sharing Tania's story. I am forwarding it to my niece, who, by the way also has a room mate at the University who uses a wheel chair.
It's interesting to listen to struggles particular to them. And, believe me, there are many.
Thanks again.
julie
This is wonderful news! Congratulations and best wishes to the Finlayson family, and thanks to them for sharing their uplifting story.
I think its great and I wish you all the best. Diane
Yes!
This gives me a lot of hope for my granddaughter who suffered a stroke in-utero and has Cerebral palsy. She is going to be four in a few days and doing well - and, loves her new wheel chair! God bless Ken and Tania and their beautiful new baby, and thanks ever so much for an inspiring article!
As Ken's cousin, who has a son with autism, it does my heart proud to hear how he and Tania family are going against the odds to make their dreams of a family come true!! I am very proud of them. My prayers and hopes and kisses from Micheal's cousin are with him.
Becky Sachs-Gomez
This is a cool story, I have CP too and like Tania, I don't let things stop me and sometimes I have done crazy stuff to prove I can it. Always got the parents surprised and shocked. :)
Jeremy
Congratulations.... you give us parents of Children with disabilities some real hope that a "normal" (and I use that term very loosely)family situation can happen as much as it does for the rest of us. Your Shining example speaks for itself.
Best Regards,
David & Denise Estes
Parents of a young woman with Ringed 14 Chromosome
I know a parent are cp and deaf and they have 2 normal kids.
Im 30 yrs old with CP and have been going back and forth to comment. Not on Tania I think she is amazing and is living life like any one. My comment is for the reporter Eric W and King 5 news. Eric's final comment was made by saying "and cp in not contagous and the baby will not get it" This is SO sterio typical! Most of my life ive been teased and have been asked about "my disease" Just pathetic our news anchors cant educate well enough!!!
Congrats to the familly i wish you the best
Beautiful story. Miracles never cease. Wonderful news in a world of such negative things. God Bless all of them.
Gracie, I just wanted to add that I'm sure the reporter added that at the end, not out of lack of information on his part, but because of lack of information for anyone else out there that watched the news and gasped, "Gee! What if she passes it on to her child!"
Sadly, many people don't know what cerebral palsy is, and that's just a fact of life. If they've never encountered it, they may never know. I'm glad they ended the report with that to inform anyone out there who doesn't understand.
This story brought a tear to my eye. How wonderful for this new family!
I have taken far to long to respond, so Tania, I hope that you are reading this! When the teaser for your story came on the air late that night, I didn't catch the whole thing, but said to my husband Greg, "That sure looks like Tania. I bet it is. I wonder what she's done? How old is she now--about 40?" (Sorry, but I was close!) I hope Tania remembers me as one of her teachers so many years ago who helped her learn Morse Code. We spent a lot of time mastering it. I no longer remember it, but obviously she does! Tania, I was always proud of and amazed by you. Imagine our delight to hear your wonderful story. We could not get to sleep, we just felt so very happy for you. Congratulations & love. Mrs. Schuler
Congratulations to you Tania and Ken.
Tania you were always fearless and I am so happy to see that you haven't let anything interfere with your dreams coming true. Your boy is gorgeous! You are indeed blessed.
Michelle Hollefreund
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