Welcome to Daniel's Gift!
I'm Carolyn Murray, and my son, Daniel, has primary microcephaly. This means that his brain is structurally normal, but is smaller than the norm. Whatever caused the microcephaly was determined at conception and isn't due to any type of brain insult or injury.
Daniel was born on December 23, 1998. He can't speak, but he communicates with sounds, expressions and by pointing. He walks with the help of a Kaye walker. He has secondary autism that prevents him from making good eye contact, but he makes up for it in smiles. He takes much, much longer than typical kids to learn, but he's learning. He's also teaching us a thing or two.
Daniel's Gift is a publication that includes essays, poetry, and my favorite, the Parent Profiles. That's where I have the opportunity to interview and learn from other mothers and fathers whose parenting challenges are similar to mine. The number one thing that I hear from other parents, and that I also find to be true, is that our children with extra challenges have given us a greater sense of gratitude and appreciation for everything in our lives.
What a gift!
Carolyn Murray
