A Leap Towards Healing Olivia!

“Wow! Look at that...she looks like you Maria” said Ashton. “The eyes are yours.” I said. Finally, the wait for our biggest gift was over. I had delivered a beautiful daughter and my joy knew no bounds. However, I was in excruciating pain! Pregnancy comes with its own pros and cons. “Look what I got for our little angel!” said Ashton as he opened the steel storage cupboard in our hospital room. He pulled out a pink coloured soft linen for our newborn. “Looks good.” said I as I closed my eyes. I was way too fatigued to respond to anything. I went off to sleep immediately.

The next day, as soon as the doctor permitted us to leave, my husband hired a taxi from a company in Hemel Hampstead and the driver arrived right on the given time. He made sure that we and the baby were comfortable and made us reach our home on time. As soon as I entered the house, what I saw was unbelievable! There were pink balloons and ribbons all over the place and my sister and friends welcomed me with an exclamation of “Surpriseeeee!!!” I was very happy. “It was my idea...” said Ashton as he smiled. “I knew it! Thanks you so much Ashton. It means the world to me” said I as I gave a peck of kiss on his cheek.

The posters of “Congratulations! It's a girl! were all over the house. Ashton always made it a point to make me happy. No matter what. Inspite of his hectic schedules as a solicitor, who advised people on getting wills in Norwich he would manage and implement plans out of nowhere! During that party, we also decided to name our baby girl “Olivia”. It was quite obvious. She had light green olive coloured eyes and striking features resembling her dad's.

 

 

My dad was a dentist in Whitton and as I idolized him, I too had decided to study dentistry. I had studied quite hard and had finally taken over my dad's clinic in Whitton after he passed away. Ashton, needless to say, was my client. We fell in love, got married and here we are, with the most beautiful asset we ever owned! I had taken a break from practicing dentistry after I was 7 months pregnant. Ashton and I had decided that we will always make sure that our daughter was fine and had divided tasks amongst ourselves.

To my biggest surprise, Ashton, who hated cooking had also taken up tasks of making food when I didn't feel well. He browsed several recipes and as he loved Indian cuisine, he also used to order curry spice mixes online and made amazing dishes for himself. I didn't fancy spicy food much. Moreover, it would create acidity problems for Olivia as I fed her. She was my world and the center of my world.

When Olivia turned 6 months old, something seemed strange about the way she responded. She didn't use to smile when smiled at. She never used to babble. I often used to wonder why. I had also spoken to Ashton about it. “Don't worry hon. You expect too much. She is too small to respond the way you want.” He often used to say. Being a doctor, I thought something for sure, was not right. Olivia soon turned a year old. Still she didn't respond to her name. I used to divert her attention by calling here with claps, finger taps and toys. Still...no response. This is it. I thought. I googled about Olivia's symptoms. All the symptoms, directed me to one word. 'Autism'. Like ever parent, I was not ready to believe that my precious daughter could have this disorder.

I decided not to tell Ashton about it until she was diagnosed with Autism clinically. One day after Ashton left, I called my mom at her office. My mom was a software engineer in a firm that created iXBRL softwares according to HMRC standards. “Hello mom, sorry to disturb you...could you please give me the number of dad's friend who is a renowned psychiatrist in our area?” “Yes darling, sure. But can I know what's wrong? Are you alright? Is Olivia alright?” she bombarded me with questions. “It is urgent mom. Please give me the number...I will call you later to explain what the situation is.” I noted the number in a parchment of paper and fixed an appointment with Dr Murray. He specialized in giving psychological treatments to children.

I stormed off in my car with an year old Olivia in her baby seat. As soon as I reached the clinic, Dr Murray welcomed me quite warmly. “So good to see you Maria.” He said. “You were a baby when I saw you last. And now you are here with your adorable baby. What a delight!” He exclaimed. “Tell me how may I help you.” He further added. “Doctor Olivia is a year old and she is not responding to things like she should. I feel she is an Autistic child.” “Okay, we will conduct some tests to examine her. But I have a request. Never say she is Autistic. Say...she is a child with Autism.” “It is one and the...”

“No. Autism is not an abnormal disease, it is not a disability. It is a condition which can be cured with time and therapies. And the good news is, the earlier you get the treatment, the better it is!”

I was quite happy with the way Dr Murray responded. After a series of tests, he told me, “You are right. Olivia has Autism. But I promise you that if you bring her to me for therapy everyday, you will definitely see her progressing” I was sobbing. “What could have gone wrong doctor? I took so much care about everything.” “It happens.” He said as he held my hand. “But you know what, these children are the way every child should be. They behave in the way that is appealing to them. They are honest and true to themselves. Isn't that how every child should be?” He asked. “Yes” I said. “Thanks a lot doctor. I will get back to you soon for the therapies.” I said as I left the clinic.

I was crying throughout the way. I talked about this to Ashton on phone. He couldn't believe what I said. He had always been there for me. When I reached home. He was already there. We hugged and cried. He gave me all the strength to raise Olivia with this condition. “I am with you. Come what may!” He said. He kissed Olivia's forehead and lulled her to sleep. I can't wait for the therapies. I can't wait to make my daughter the best. This is my first leap towards healing Olivia and I truly, can't wait...

Yet another Surprise!

I was a 15 year old girl when we had shifted from Ireland to the UK. My parents and especially my dad loved me to the core and treated me like I was a treasure. “Don't spoil her by getting all these gifts, Justin.” my mother often used to say. “I am not. She is my sweet pea.” my father used to say, and plant a kiss on my forehead.

My father had seen a lot of financial hardships after we had shifted to the UK. In spite of being an IT engineer as he did not find a job suitable for his profile, he also worked as an office furniture supplier in London. There were no specific timings for him to come home. My mom used to work as a baby sitter part time so that they could give me good education. I rarely used to spend quality time with them as they were busy and I was in my teenage.

 Since I was a child, I was always interested in fashion. Right from the dressing to the hairstyling, the world of fashion lured me. I often used to tell my mom, “Please don't expect me to become a doctor or an engineer mom, I want to be a hairstylist. I want my own hair salon someday.” “Don't be silly Daisy, your goals keep on changing every day. We will see what you become as you grow old. Now please concentrate in studies.” But before I could defend myself, my dad would say, “That is a great dream my little one. I will make sure that it comes true.” And I used to smile.

My dad kept shifting jobs and made sure that I faced no hurdles with anything in my life. He is very protective of me. I distinctly remember the day when he had called upon professionals from a firm that offered fencing services in Surrey. “What is this dad? Why are we putting a boundary around our house?” I had asked. “It is a fence dear; we are getting this built because if daddy and mommy are not home, you stay protected!” “Why daddy?” I had asked. “Because we love you darling.” used to say my dad. Now when I think of that incident, my eyes well up. It was such a small incident. But it spoke volumes about my dad's love for me.

When you are in your teenager, it's all about yourself. Your dreams, your happiness, your priorities. I was getting more passionate about establishing my name in the world of hairstyling.  My parents have spent each penny in nurturing me and my dreams. After working really hard for few years, my dad had finally managed to get a job at the company for which he worked in Ireland. He used to make software for iXBRL conversion. He was very happy that day. I remember him telling my mom that, “Dreams are really powerful Nancy. You have to put in your whole and sole into it and they become a reality.” “I know hon, I have always believed in your potential and I knew you will get a job that works for you. I am so happy that you are finally creating software for iXBRL conversion and working for the same firm here.” That night we had a family dinner at one of the finest restaurants of our area.

Days passed and our financial condition started getting better. My dad worked day and night at his new job and won several hearts at his office. His boss, from what I had heard had great regards for him. I remember it was daughter's day and my dad called me. I was at a friend's place. “Hey dad... tells me.” I said. “Hello sweet pea.” “Please stop calling me that dad, I am 23 now.” “Ya so sweet pea, why don't you come over to Epsom downtown? I have a daughter's day surprise for you”. Said daddy. “Dad, my name is not Sweet pea and can't you give me the surprise later? I am at a friend's place.” “No honey, please ask Flora to drop you, this is urgent.” “Ok” I said as I cut the phone. I reached and waited near the decided landmark.

My parents arrived at the spot and greeted me with love. “Okay, so now we need to cover your eyes with this lace.” “Why? Dad what are you...? “Shhh”...he said interrupting me. I sat in his car with the blind fold on my eyes. After about 2 miles the car stopped. “Dad please takes this off! It's suffocating!”  I said. “Just a minute sweetpea.” He opened the car door and held my hand gently while taking me to a place.” He removed the lace from my eyes and the scene was just unbelievable... 

It was a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art hair salon with a staff of hairdressers standing right there and clapping hands. I immediately started crying...out of happiness, out of sorrow, out of surprise. “This is what you wanted, right sweetie?” said my mom. I had no words. I hugged my dad and mom and thanked god for blessing me with them. Owning a salon was a huge thing for me! I suddenly felt responsible for my life. The happiness was indescribable. I owed it to him. I owed it to my parents in a huge way...I thought.

My salon gained popularity with each passing day and I started making good money. Every penny reminded me of my dad's hardworking days. I remembered how my mom asked him to sell her gold jewellery when they had no money to pay my school fees. I have decided to treat them in a huge way. As their anniversary is approaching tonight, I have booked a holiday for them at an exotic suite on Bora Bora islands. I have already called for a cab in Kingston which will take them to the airport. This time, they are going to celebrate their love for each other in a huge way and they are surely in for a surprise! I thought as I smiled...