My saving grace, my darling Lydia. 
Lydia is my spunky little mini me. She is my hilarious, vivacious and adorable little shadow. Her beautiful curly hair, chubby baby cheeks and big brown eyes make my heart over flow with love.
Lydia was eight weeks old when Liam was first diagnosed. At just eight weeks she provided me with the support that I needed to stay alive. The responsibility of caring for a very young baby is overwhelming on its own, but she gave me the focus I needed to live through the most horrible weeks and months of my life.
I recall looking down at her sweet fresh face those first dark nights and wondering “will this kill her too?” I was so scared that MD would break down my Liam, claim my Lydia and destroy my marriage.
As the months crawled on I found myself watching every move that she would make. Watching and waiting for her to struggle to rise from the floor, or stumble and fall. Every time she was out of breath from running hard I would wonder, does she have it too? Will she live with the same hardships that Liam’s body has given him? Please, please no.
Lydia is now three and a half, and I’m so proud of her. She is hitting all the milestones that I hoped for her, but I’m proud because I see great things for her. I see her having an empathetic heart, and the confidence to stand strong for those who need a helpful hand. She shows such grace with her sometimes frustrated big brother. Her sweet pat on the shoulder does not go unnoticed when her big brother struggles to keep up with their wrestling match. She, at the tender age of three, plays on Liam’s wheelchair because it is cool. Not scary. 
She has challenges ahead of her too. I am very purposeful in my efforts to remain fair. Nothing will be equal, because Liam will need more help, but I will do my best to recognize that and do the best I can. We’ve been warned that she may experience guilt. I understand that. 
I know that she will be a great advocate for Liam. There will be rocky years where she may be mortified by her family. Let’s be honest, disability or not, we aren’t getting around that!
Liam has been given every gift possible, except for his health. Lydia, as his baby sister, is one of those gifts. I’m so thankful for my sweet little shadow, and Liam’s biggest fan, our Itty Bitty Liddy.