“Why doesn’t it leave its mournful route and become the happy, bubbling stream it was when it burst spontaneously from the earth?
It doesn’t, because it can’t. It has no power within itself to do other than it has always done. Once it has plunged down the steep banks into darkness, it cannot lift itself again to the bright, sunny land above. The means by which it could be lifted exists, the way is at hand, but the river does not understand how to make use of it.”

I’m rereading The Cherished Works of Billy Graham and I came across an analogy that he wrote about a river and how it is like sin. What in the world does that have to do with a special needs child? I’d like you to reread the quote from the book and look for the similarities between his description of the river’s journey and our special needs children.

Our children burst spontaneously from the womb with all the potential to love and flow through life. Then something goes terribly wrong. They suffer abuse, neglect, exposure to substance, or other forms of trauma and they are plunged into the darkness of lost hope.

Someone comes along, “rescues” the child, and places the child with a new family. Once again, the child has all the opportunities to love and happily flow through life. The way is at hand if only the child could grasp it and hold on to it. However, the child doesn’t know how to make use of it.

I am always seeking to understand what drives my special needs children and I know that many of you are as well. We try to predict their reactions to situations so that we can avoid what triggers them and avoid setting them up for failure.

I didn’t begin reading this book with the thought that it was going to give me insight into special needs. I guess that always being on the lookout comes naturally when one is walking wounded, as my blog-mate Julie put it.


Should I Try Medication Now or Wait
Time Alone? – Living with FAS and ADHD
How to Choose a Psychiatrist
It’s True! Adopting Special Needs Children Can Make You Nuts
Did You Ever Think, “My Child’s Special Needs Are Too Much to Handle?”
Photo Credit

Quote From
The Cherished Works of Billy Graham
Peace With God
Family Christian Press, Copyright 1955, 1985 by Billy Graham