You have taken us on one hell of a journey!
When we welcomed you 365 days ago we were blissfully unaware of what you had planned for our family. Things were starting to look brighter with Phoebe's health and we were naively thinking the worst was behind us. We never thought the curve balls would keep coming, or that they would come faster and harder.
You have pushed us to our breaking points and beyond. You have fought us and challenged us every step of the way. You have offered glimmers of hope only to snap them away faster than I could blink. Every day has been a roller coaster ride.
But you know what 2014? You have not defeated me. For as much as there are times I feel like there is nothing I can do, that I can't possibly push through another wall, that I don't have any fight left in me, that no matter what I say or do it won't make a difference or help, that I can't handle any of this, I will never stop fighting. Until my last breath, I will never stop fighting.
This fight is personal for me because it is affecting my own daughter, but this is more than just a fight for my family. This is a fight for every family, every person, every child that is facing what our family is. Medical issues, mounting medical costs, insurance picking and choosing what is and isn't covered, the world of Rare and Unknown diseases. Too many people are going without diagnoses, treatment, medical supplies and medical care.
You sure gave us a run for our money, 2014. You tried to get the better of us and you tried to keep us silent, but you didn't. You did however awaken a powerful voice. A voice that is being heard louder and louder. A voice that is being echoed by everyone who hears it.
So 2014, I have only one thing left to say to you...ROAR!