I am relatively new to the blogging world. I knew about blogs, but I never read them. I didn't really get it because, although it is hard to believe now, I'm actually a pretty private person. In fact, last summer when Bill brought up creating a blog, I balked at the idea. We had just been through two months of hell: we nearly lost Gwendolyn on multiple occasions; she turned blue from choking countless times, including while in a non-emergency ambulance ride on our way home from Stanford – we had to turn around immediately; she had her g-tube surgery, which took so much out of her for so long; we had new machines filling our home and new treatments to grow accustomed to; her lung collapsed less than ten days after being home from a month-long hospitalization; oh, and just processing the dreadful diagnosis. Yes, it was one hell of a period. So, adding one more thing to do when I could hardly brush my hair in the morning, well I looked at Bill like he was absolutely nuts. On this occasion, I am so glad he didn't listen to me. He knew that our family and friends wanted to share all the good with us and not just get the horrible, We are back in the hospital emails.
So GwendolynStrong.com became official. Bill did most of the posts in the beginning (I can be a bit stubborn sometimes). And I quickly had to admit that I liked this whole blogging idea. It was nice to share Gwendolyn with others, especially because we were pretty quarantined. It was heartwarming when friends referenced something new or cute that Gwendolyn did and it helped that I could talk about the good in our lives and not only SMA. And now, it is unbelievably healing when people see Gwendolyn as just Gwendolyn and not as a sick little girl with disabilities. I love that others have embraced her and her sweetness and that I'm not the only one who thinks she's pretty hard to resist.
I am pleased to say I am now officially in the blog world. I get it now. From our blog, other bloggers found us and then began commenting. From their comments, I found their blogs and from their blogs, I found others. I follow blogs and families as if they live down the street. I cheer when sweet Dakin has a good day and laugh when charming Jonas does something silly. I cried my eyes out when I learned that darling Zoey was diagnosed with Leukemia. I hope for them and they hope for us. I now read other blogs, too, not just family blogs: political blogs, Mom advice blogs, design blogs…any interest you have, it is out there.
I am amazed by the way bloggers, especially Mommy bloggers, are willing to lend a hand. I love the It takes a village attitude of so many bloggers who pass on a handy tip, share a great find, laugh or cry with me and I with them. I continually marvel at the circuitous way we learn of one another and of the interconnection blogging brings. And I am so, so encouraged by the support for PetitionToCureSMA.com and for Gwendolyn. From all of this I have learned two things for certain: 1) the Internet is the best invention ever and 2) Bloggers Rock, especially Mom Bloggers.
And so, after a long-winded post, I would like to share some of the awesome blog support we have received. (I apologize if I overlooked you as I am certain that I have forgotten to list everyone who has done a petition post and I am sure there are folks who have posted that I don't even know about — email me and I will add you.) In addition to posts, many other blogs have added our button or the petition link to their page. Thank you all so very much for supporting a Mom who needs the help right now. Thank you for helping grow support for the petition and awareness for a disease in desperate need of attention. And keep up the awesome blogging.
Blogs That Posted About Petition To Cure SMA (in no particular order)
Dr. Greene — Thank you Daalia for arranging this
Jolly Mom
Now That You Mention It
Cool Baby Kid
The Imperfect Parent
Little Wonders
Hil's Blog
Three Little Blairs
Fragile What?
A Mommy Story
Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife
Katee Grace's Blog
The life, faith, and creativity of Jessica Turner
My Mommy Said
Our Sweet Sophie
Women Doing More — Thank you Devon and Dakin
Organized Chaos
Baseballs and Tutus
Katie and Spencer
5 Minutes for Mom — Thank you Jolly Mom, Piera
Mom Dot — Thank you Jolly Mom, Piera
Screaming Santa
Teen Check Up
SB Parent
Tech Crunch
The Vibe
The Beasley & Wright Family Blog
A Thorn Among Roses
A FiveOh4 Uplifting
Halftime Lessons — Thank you Samantha
Leelee News<
br />In the Tiger Den
Kidzorg