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How many parents experienced the heartache of seeing
their child struggle tying their shoelaces and a
minute later be totally baffled and awed when the same
child comments; the question isn’t if the chicken or
egg came first, but the plant or the seed? Or have
kids who spend most of their time in resource rooms,
special day classes, or sitting in the principal’s
office and still score 99% across the board on
standardized tests?How many parents have the pleasure of working side by
side with remarkable teachers and administrators whofight the same fight as you do, who do it for the love
of the job, but are faced with a fixed budget, or
worse yet a shrinking budget, while the population of
special needs kids continues to grow and grow?How many parents experience the knowledge, caring, and
loving found within local and cyber support groups
where information is freely shared, where mutual
respect is never questioned, where fellow members will
come to your defense with the passion of a ‘mother
bear,” where you can turn to when it appears all hope
is lost, and where you were made to laugh when you so
desperately wanted to cry?
Yea for support groups — both cyber and in-person!!!!
How many parents have felt their body shutter and a
chill run up their spine, their throat tighten
constricting their voice, their heart boom in their
chest as if it would explode, and tears well up in
their eyes, blinding them as they experience the
bittersweet agony and ecstasy of seeing their child
experience the little things that come so naturally to
other kids, but are truly miraculous for our kids?
Such experiences as the first steps (when the child
has no legs or lost their use), first words (when a
child’s mind is trapped in an Autistic world), first
story read (when dyslexia makes words constantly move
and change), first paper (when dysgraphia makes
forming letters painful, slow, and individually),
first play date that felt safe (when previously
“friends” only teased, bullied, or physically abused),
and the first unscripted ” I love you” come from
their child.
And how many are holding on …waiting for one of these miracles? Miracles parents of “normal” children never see.
How many parents have learned anyone can love a child
who’s perfect, somebody who does everything right?
But that doesn’t stretch your soul. Your soul only
gets stretched when you can still love somebody after
they hurt you. [Susan Phillips]
I don’t know who Susan is, but she’s one smart lady!
How many parents truly understand the pain it caused,
the cost incurred, the heroic efforts it took, and at
the same time, the joy it brought to unconditionally
love their special child and demonstrate that love
through actions, not just words, in the past, during
the present, and forever in the future?How many parents learned the painful lesson? One
voice will not be heard, two voices may get their
attention, but only the voice of many will enact
change. The voice whose message will be heard loud
and clear. The voice whose wishes will not be denied!
So take my hand and join me on this greatest of all
journeys and I promise, TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE A
DIFFERENCE!Finally, how many parents have been applauded for
their parenting skills, their efforts, their strength,
their courage, and their dedication; the best humanity
has to offer?
Not nearly enough! Today I applaud all you special parents! You truly are the best humanity has to offer!
