One things that saddens me about having kids with special needs is when folks tell you that they are “sorry” your children are disabled. I don’t mean to be ungrateful! I appreciate their concern, I really do. It’s just that I don’t consider my children a burden (Sure, they are HEAVY. They ARE finally gaining weight! Yeah!). But I am not sad, I do not mourn because they have special needs. They are loved. They are wanted. They are perfect to me.
Sure, sometimes it hurts that they aren’t like “everyone else” but what the heck is “normal” anyway? The further we travel in this life the more we realize there is no such thing as “normal.” Even if there was, we don’t want to be normal. We like being “weird” and different. My kids aren’t broken, they don’t need to be fixed or healed (OK, to be fair, they do have chronic medical issues we treat on a daily basis, but I’m confident you know what I mean).
Still feel sorry for us? Here’s why you shouldn’t:
- My kids are happy and thriving. They go to great schools with great teams of people to support them.
- I know my children better than most people know their children.
- I know my kids’ doctors and teachers and support staff better than most people know their children.
- We are never, EVER bored. Ever. Nope. Not even close. It might be nice to be bored once in a while, I’m thinking.
- My husband and I have learned a level of patience most folks never dream of having. And sometimes we’re actually patient. And sometimes our teeth hurt from speaking through clenched teeth.
- We finally learned the meaning of unconditional love.
- We learned to appreciate the small things in life and take each day as it comes. Every word, every new skill, every day without a tantrum is special.
- This is normal to us. We don’t know any other way and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The next time you see a child that you know is special, go ahead and smile. Some of us are quite enjoying this life.