My name is Paysleigh and I am a shaken baby survivor. I was just 2 months old when my dad got frustrated with me and decided to shake me. In this time of rage he caused significant brain damage, broke 4 of my ribs and fractured my skull. Then he laid me in my crib until the next morning when I was moaning and they decided to take me to the hospital. I was having seizures at the time and close to death from the brain damage. I was flown to a bigger town four hours away to get a higher level of medical care. I was in the pediatric intensive care unit for 3 weeks as I healed from my injuries.
I was placed in foster care during my hospital stay and on May 15th my foster mom came to pick me up. She learned a lot of medical information about me and how the traumatic brain injury and retinal hemorrhage would impact my life. I was given the diagnosis of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and was legally blind. She was told that I could be significantly delayed for the rest of my life. She took me home and loved me anyway. We made many trips to Fargo for medical appointments and surgeries. She stayed with me the whole time. I started to attend therapies to help with my development. I also was in Early Intervention to help me develop as well and my mom to learn how to help me. I worked very hard at therapy and continued to grow and learn new skills. I was learning about my environment by what I could hear and touch. I loved to listen to music and have books read to me. I liked to go outside for walks and feel the grass.
I was finally adopted by my foster mom when I was three. I now would have my forever family and be safe and loved for the rest of my life. Also, when I turned three, I started attending a special education preschool. I went to preschool five mornings a week. I loved to go to school and hear all the kids playing and talking. When I started preschool, I got my wheelchair to help me get around. I love to ride in my pink wheelchair. I still love to play with toys and hear books read to me. I love to have people talk to me and hear other kids playing. My butterfly is pink for my wheelchair and bows I love to wear.
Perfect Through and Through 