Mother to a Child Born with Differences: From Pain to Advocacy featuring Jaclyn Greenberg

Jaclyn Greenberg did not know she had contracted Cytomegalovirus (CMV) during her second pregnancy until her 34-week check-up when doctors discovered her baby was not growing correctly, had fluid in his brain, and had an enlarged heart. Jaclyn was rushed to the hospital to have an emergency C-Section and after she delivered Henry spent that whole summer practically living in the NICU. 

 

Because Henry’s brain stopped developing between 30 and 32 weeks his medical team didn’t know what he would ultimately be capable of, or even if he would live. Jaclyn’s sense of guilt overwhelmed her and she entered a deep depression. She stopped visiting the hospital as often and when she was at work or with her other child, relied on others to take care of Henry in ways that she felt unable to. 

 

Then, one day she began to feel better and she realized she wanted to enjoy the life she had with her family life and stop trying to fix what could not be fixed. Jaclyn became an advocate for her son and began insisting on getting medical care with doctors who see beyond Henry’s disabilities and treat him like a whole person. Jaclyn is now a mother of three and has made it her mission to battle the stigma the differently-abled face, educate others, and spend quality time with her husband and her children, all of whom look out for each other unconditionally and remind her every day how far they have come as a family.

 

 

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