“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

Is there something in your past that you regret? It could be something you said or did or did not say or do. The reality is that we cannot go back in time and change things. However, we do have the ability to make choices today that influence our future. Every day gives us a new opportunity to start again and make different and better choices. Through these choices, we can create opportunities to increase the possibility of a better future.

If you do not know where you are going, how do you know when you will get there? Part of the process is identifying and determining where we want to go. We need a starting point and a final destination. We may not like what is currently happening, but we must assess where we are to plan to get where we want to be.

After the paper maps and before the GPS, I recall looking on the internet for the place I wanted to go, printing out the map, and highlighting the road I was to follow. With the GPS, we provide it an address, and it will direct us on the best way to go. If we make a wrong turn, it will redirect us or provide alternate routes.

Counseling is something like that. You tell me where you want to go or be. Together we assess where you are and get to your desired destination. It is a collaborative effort in which you make the final decisions.

Sitting in the doctor’s office at 31 weeks pregnant, Raphael’s mom, Katie, began to worry. Her son had stopped being the playful, active baby in her womb that she had grown to know. Instead of sleepless nights filled with kicks and days filled with baby flutters, Katie’s belly felt still. Instead of being able to reassure Katie, her doctors insisted that labor induction at 32 weeks was the best option. “It will be easier to diagnose and treat him outside of your belly than from the inside,” they said.

Feeling as if her last few weeks to prepare for her new baby had been ripped out from under her, Katie tried to keep her positive mindset, constantly reminding herself that in a few days, her baby boy would be in her arms. It was not long after he entered the world that Raphael was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a motor disorder caused by an injury in the brain or the spinal region. The news was devastating; it was difficult for Katie and her partner to know the severity of Raphael’s diagnosis at such a young age, so they thought the worst.

As it turns out, Raphael’s situation is better than it could have been. His paralysis is partial instead of total. With love from his family and resources from CRIT, he has been able to navigate his diagnosis and live a happy life, even if it comes with significant obstacles. The doctors warned Katie that Raphael’s health would become a focal point in their lives; he would have many doctor’s appointments, therapies, and treatments to help him learn how to live with cerebral palsy.

After Raphael’s 3rd birthday, Katie found out about CRIT through some close friends in Houston. She loved the personalized treatment approach that CRIT offered. If she had learned one thing in the first three years of her little boy’s life, it was that every diagnosis is different, and kids deserved personalized care.

At CRIT, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians monitor each child’s plans of care to ensure they are always in their best interest. CRIT provides its patients with physical, speech, and occupational therapies, social work, nutrition, and other services with a holistic approach. Wellness is holistic, and CRIT treats it as such. With the help of Raphael’s physician, Katie applied to CRIT, gaining acceptance shortly after.

Katie was unsure exactly what to expect, but she knew that providing her son with resources and trained professionals working together was probably the best approach. When she first walked in, clutching Raphael’s hand, Katie was relieved by the friendly faces that greeted her. She remembers the kind words the receptionists had that time and every time since, making her and Raphael feel more like family than patients.

Raphael’s rehabilitation journey has improved his life over the years, helping him navigate while strengthening his muscles and language abilities. Katie cannot imagine Raphael’s life without CRIT; raising a child always takes a village, and the staff at CRIT are a big part of Raphael’s village.

Aside from the therapies he has received, Raphael has benefited from the sense of community at CRIT. His therapists, past and present, have all left lasting impacts on his life. The community programs offered at the facility help Raphael connect with other kids his age, encouraging play and socialization, which is critical for developing brains.

Though his life has been filled with therapies, treatments, and doctor’s offices, it has also been filled with laughter, memories, and amazing people. Raphael is notorious for showing up to therapy with a snack in hand and a smile on his face. CRIT has become much more than a treatment facility; for Katie and Raphael, CRIT is a second home.

Looking back, Katie is so thankful that those doctors decided to induce labor early. As scared as she was, this enabled her to get a diagnosis for her son and start treatments as early as possible. Though some days are harder for Raphael than others, he has been committed his whole life to give each day his all, even when he was just a tiny newborn.

Katie encourages other parents with children with disabilities to seek treatment and advocate for their kids, but more importantly, keep a positive mindset. Focusing on the diagnosis takes away from allowing each child to flourish as they are. CRIT has helped empower Raphael and hundreds of other kids just like him. With their help and services, these kids are given a better chance at finding a community in this world and leading lives that make them happy, which is all any parent wants for their child.

“Not every day is good, but there is something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earl

How many times have we asked someone, “how was your day?” and their response was “my day was horrible” or “I’m having a very bad day.” We all have those days where everything seems to go wrong, for example, we can’t find our keys, we keep dropping things, we get a phone call with bad news, we’re late to work, the children don’t want to listen, we get into an argument with a loved one, and the list goes on.

If we take some time to sit, breathe, and reflect, we can find that even on those difficult days, there is something positive or a lesson to learn. I believe that if we go through something difficult or challenging, and we gain nothing from it, it is a waste of our time and emotional upset. Through challenges and difficult situations, we may learn to be resilient and develop patience, compassion, and empathy. We may also gain a new perspective on a situation or realize how strong we are emotionally and psychologically.

When you have a bad day, I encourage you to take a break and ask yourself:

• Is it a bad day or just a bad moment?
• What can I learn from this situation?
• How relevant or important will this situation be a year from now?

You may find that many situations that cause us to be upset, become anxious, or stress out are not as significant when we look at the big picture. They’re just a drop of water in a big ocean of life.

April showers bring May flowers. I recall hearing that when I was younger, implying that there is a reaction for every action, as well as in our lives.

Our actions, thoughts, and feelings are connected. It’s a circle of influence. Think about the times you have been happy. You probably smile more, your posture is more upright, and you have positive thoughts and are more optimistic about events you encounter, even if they are difficult.

A similar situation occurs when we are feeling down or sad. Our thoughts tend to be more pessimistic, such as “my life is horrible,” “I’m not good at anything,” etc. Our actions may be displayed by a lack of motivation, fatigue, not wanting to get out of bed, or isolation from others.

When we feel stressed or overwhelmed but engage in an activity that we enjoy, we feel better and more relaxed. We can also change our self-talk. Instead of thinking about how horrible things are or how terrible we are, we can say, “I may be having a bad day, but things will be better tomorrow,” or “I’m having a bad moment. What can I learn from this?”

As you go through your day, do frequent check-ins with yourself. How are you feeling? What are you thinking? Is there something you can change to improve your mood or the situation? You may not control what happens during your day, but you have control over your thinking, actions, and feelings. You can determine how you view a situation you face and respond to it.

Please remember you do not have to walk this journey alone. If you would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact Patient Services at 210-257-6260. Sessions can be held in person or via telehealth.