Blog Assignment: Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

This story provides a positive example of the effects of research on children and families who have been inspired by real life obstacles and challenges in life. Also, it pertains to resilience which is considering turning a bad situation into a good situation by learning how to cope with challenges and developing the ability. In addition, knowledge on how to gain perspectives as we face our own challenges in life. For instance,resilience something we all experience in life at one time or another. Therefore, I feel hearing about the positive effects by research can help others to become strong, healthy, or successful again by learning from other mistakes and accomplishments. Learning from our own mistakes and accomplishments during our personal life experiences. This is a story about a 13 year old girl name Marilyn DeAlba whom religion was Catholic and had a baby boy name Chris and he was born with cerebral palsy,which resulted in her son's developing torticollis, in which affects his neck and muscle weakness on the right side of his body. Doctors originally doubted he would survive at all. Marilyn parents were not proud of her and her family members and friends were devastated when they found out she was pregnant and didn’t want to talk to her until after she had the baby. Also, Marliyn had a very complicated labor, the baby got stuck in the birth canal. Three times they had to use Vacuum suction before the hospital staff decided to do an emergency Caesarean section to delivery. He stop breathing twice, once for 12 minutes and his heart stop beating. However, the doctor and nurses were able to revive him. Also, the baby started having epileptic seizures. Liquid went to his brain. She was told he wasn't going to make it or that he would be in a wheelchair or not be able to talk or walk. I was told he was mentally disabled. Therefore, after she had the baby her parents provided a room downstairs for her and the baby. However, she became very unhappy and depressed and begin to go through anxiety attacks, and a lot of stress, being so young. Also, she became withdrawn, so she didn’t pay attention to her peers, even though they may have judged her for keeping the baby. Marilyn had lied to her baby's father and told him at the time she was 16 years old. He found out and a banded her and the baby. Furthermore, considering all the odds were against her, she didn’t give up on her son,she was determine to prove everyone wrong, she finish summer school by getting up at 4 a.m. in the morning making preparation for her son. Last but not least she graduated from an alternative high in the Mt. Diablo school district. Marilyn received three scholarships to complete college and raised her son Chris through sun and rain," she said proudly. Furthermore, she continues to save her money to get a place for her son and herself According to research, she said "I'm happy that I did it. There were times when I had so much doubt in my mind. But, school felt like my extended family." Well-spoken and poised, DeAlba became one of Crossroads' young mothers who traveled to other high schools, sharing her experience and telling girls to protect themselves against pregnancy. DeAlba graduated after two-and-a-half years with a grade-point average of about 3.8, she said. As she prepares to start her first full college semester next week, DeAlba does not feel sorry for herself or dwell on the life she could have had. Instead, she said her pregnancy was a challenge from God and she's focused on what's ahead. "My motivation was my son," she said. "He's my shining armor. I need him and he needs me. He is my future." According to, “Statistics show that most girls in DeAlba's condition won't finish high school, let alone middle school -- where DeAlba was in seventh grade at Martinez Junior High when she got pregnant.”

References:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15745086?nclick_check=1