So, let's make some bullet points:
1) We met Doctor Daniel Amina, and he was super cool! He didn't know all our story, and the first thing he said was, "Clara, you have a big mission. Do you know that? It is big, and I want to help you accomplish it."
I was in tears! This is another confirmation to keep going and see the big picture. Maybe you are saying, "Why does Betina need all these confirmations?"
Guys, I need it. I left everything behind, believing in this dream, this mission of Clara having a future, living with dignity, and having a good life. I never imagined there would be so many ups and downs. Creating a business and a brand is already tricky; creating a business and a brand in a new country where the central star is your teenage daughter living with tough challenges is a wild ride!
2) Doctor Amina said to Clara, "You need to be so grateful for your brain and for what he did for you. He worked hard for you!
Never take for granted what you are and what you have! Be grateful!
This was incredibly powerful, so we could never take for granted that Clara's brain worked so hard to make her thrive in the crisis moments (when we are frustrated when we wish that our life would be "normal" when we are angry because we see her struggling so much when we would like to have just one conversation with total words) her brain worked so hard to make her understand three languages, to make her walk, to make her care of others, to make her create art, to make her forgive so fast, to make her love without judging eyes and to make her give the best hug!
Average Brain:
Clara's brain:
3) Compare the two pictures. You can see exactly where it has some alterations, but the big win is that Doctor Amina said he worked with a lot of people with similar diagnoses as Clara, as most of the time, they have some part of the brain that is just black!
In all my years as the mom of Clara, I never learned all the medical words (sometimes I feel like a bad mom), where the damage is, and all the consequences of each damage. I just learned here in the US that she has 12 different diagnoses 😱, in Italy, they never gave us a complete list! I think that, as I was so young (23) when Clara was born, and Carlo did not care much about the circumstances, we just decided to live more freely and with acceptance. I think this helped us grow, Clara, not living by the fear and the limitations a diagnosis can give you!
Average Brain:
Clara's brain:
4) this is what I was waiting for!!! Yes! All of Clara's anxiety, trying to control everything, and impulsivity are because most of the activity of the brain is in the Basal Ganglia (she did an incredible artwork of it). Clara's cerebellum, where she has the most significant damage after the stroke, has low activity (language, mobility, balance, and helping to keep anxiety on track). So, with Doctor Daniel Amina's help, we will increase the cerebellum activity and decrease the Basal Ganglia activity - first trying nutrition, behavior, and supplements! I'll be able to understand how to deal with it without driving crazy, even if Clara is so brilliant! Since we had the results, she has been trying to justify her "behaviors," saying it is her brain. It does not take even 24 hours."
We are relieved and full of hope to be able to give Clara and ourselves a good opportunity to change for the better and to have a better quality of life. I also begged Doctor Amina to scan Carlo's brain, proposing a reality show showing everything since Carlo likes to be transparent. I think it could help so many lives and people who do not even know they have ADHD, as Carlo didn't until eight years ago. Having his diagnosis changed our lives; let's hope something will happen also here!
With love, Betina
You are an inspiration Clara. And yes it takes the whole family coming together to help things run smoothly. Disability comes in many forms but remember to love each other. Give lots of hugs especially when things are tough.
Charlene Latimer on