Special Needs

Written July 10, 2025

For those who don’t know, I am the mama of three beautiful boys. They are 5, 3, and 2 months. My oldest is Yori. His full name is Adeyori, which means “the crown triumphed.” Yori was born a healthy 9lb 4oz baby, and we were overjoyed when we got to take him home. However, at 4 days old, we took him to the ER because he was not eating and was unresponsive to typical things that would make a baby respond in some way. Concerned for his well being, we took him in, but nothing could have prepared us for what came next. The nurse started by checking his blood sugar, and immediately we saw all the staff in the ER begin move with urgency. We had no idea that it was because Yori’s blood sugar was a 10. Yes a 10! Now if you know anything about blood sugar, low blood sugar can begin to affect a person negatively once it hits around 60. So it’s a miracle that the kid was still breathing!

They got him into a room and hooked up to all kinds of things. Note that I had him at a birthing center because hospitals scare me, so imagine me now that I still ended up in a hospital going through this. Wires and tubes everywhere; Beeps from monitors that startled me every time they went off. The doctor handed me a remote sort of thing with a red button that she told me to press if we needed anything. My husband and I sat by his bedside in shock. I held the remote in my hand staring at my little baby hooked up to all the contraptions, and then… I realized I had not see his chest rise in a few seconds. I leaned in closer to look at him only to realize that he had stopped breathing. I pressed that red button so hard I could’ve sworn I had broken it, and at the same time I screamed for help. The staff ran into the room and began CPR. He came to, and the doctor advised that they needed to intubate and through my tears I gave permission.

I ran into the hallway and hit the floor bawling harder than I ever have before. This wasn’t supposed to be happening to my baby. This wasn’t supposed to happen to us! I was so angry with God, but as time went on, He drew me closer and provided comfort and peace in my heart that no one else could.

During his 5 week NICU stay, we found out that the low blood sugar (official diagnosis- hypoglycemic encephalopathy) had led to clinical seizures (ones we could not physically see), which injured the part of his brain that controls development. So as time went on, we began to see the delays. My baby didn’t sit independently until 13 months, and he didn’t walk independently until he was about 2.5 years. This was around the same time that he finally started eating table food. He breastfed until 17 months, and was on thickened purees after that. Through it all, he was the happiest baby, and is still the happiest kid, though he’s coming into his own and has much more attitude now lol.

All that to say, this poem was inspired by him. My first born. My walking miracle baby. My Yori. It is an absolute blessing getting to watch him grow and learn new things everyday. So without further delay, here is my poem Special Needs.

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Baby boy you’re so special, and I needed you; I just never really realized.

Even though things haven’t gone how I expected them to, God has truly opened my eyes.

He showed His hand and pulled me in close when it felt like life was doing the most,

And you’ve taught me so much. You know like patience and such. How to love and be loved ‘cause for you I was always enough.

You took me as your mommy, no questions or doubts. Trusted me to protect you and help you figure life out.

You smiled while I cried ‘cause you were happy inside, and I have to admit that sometimes it was my pride. That my baby was much more special than I expected him to be, and this type of thing wasn’t supposed to happen to me, and yet…

the Crown still triumphed when your breathing ceased and new life into my first born HE breathed.

Baby boy you’re so special, and I needed you. You face every obstacle like a champ and I admire you.

They say delayed ain’t denied and they ain’t eva lied ‘cause you don’t look like what you’ve been through or the results of your MRIs.

You crawled late, but you crawled. You walked late, but you walked. Now you’re running, playing, eating and in the Jesus’ you name you will talk!

Baby boy you’re so special, and I needed you. And I thank God He saw fit that you needed me too.