The sky was falling. Shahik had brought home a virus. I got sick, Arthur got sick, our friends caught it and Shahik was getting worse. After two days of no eating, little drinking, sleepless nights and no playing- mother’s instincts took us to the hospital. 

He was admitted to the ICU and was put on an IV immediately. I put him in his doctor’s outfit so he could feel like he was part of the healing team. We spent 5 days in the ICU before the virus was done wrecking havoc on my sweet four year old.

There were many scary tests that took place- and waiting for the answers was without words the most heart wrenching experience of our lives. In those days, we imagined the worse- sobbed and lived out nightmares in our head about our son’s health. Watching the other children in the ICU was devastating- especially Alik who was our neighbor- he did not have the resources, support and devotion that Shahik had. Even though we helped, I knew in my heart it was temporary relief and that he would be left without a long term advocate. Shahik continued to be weak and the healing was taking longer than my ability to keep my sanity.

Then the test results brought smiles and relief for us. The biggest smile came when I saw Shahik return to his normal self- his funny impressions of his grandparents and his cute gestures came back with his health and brought Arthur and I back to life. We were blessed and we were lucky. The sky was no longer falling for us.

But it still is for many of Armenia’s parents. Children’s health care is a major issue as is providing children a healthy environment and healthy choices. This was one more experience to push me towards advocating for children’s health. As the recipient of such a blessing, I feel it is our duty as parents to help create a healthier environment for all of our children. I have been delivering health care relief for almost a decade in Armenia- but it is never enough and our children still suffer- we need to do more- we need to do much much more.

Let’s discuss how…