Who Would Want a Child Like That?

I read this from Kristi's blog, an awesome mom to her son Billy. She wrote: "Its author dedicated it to a Canadian mom who lost her daughter at the hospital because the unwritten law for babies with Trisomy 13 in an emergency is DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). Imagine, going to a hospital expecting them to save your child, and not knowing that they put a 'do not save' without telling you."

Like her, I was also deeply touched by this writeup. May you other parents of special children draw strength and inspiration from this as well.

===

I am told one doctor said to another about a woman wanting to bear and deliver a child with known disabilities: "But who would want a child like that anyway"?

Dear Doctor,

Who would want a child "like that"? A person who wants to learn about love! A person who wants to know about self-sacrifice. A person who wants to know more about the value of life, who wants to move beyond the understanding of owning stuff to the understanding of giving and emptying of the self!

Who wants a child "like that"? A person who is connected, a person who wants a challenge, a person who wants to face HELL and own HEAVEN right here, right now! A person who wants to grow and change and learn to navigate the waters of joy and despair, of choices deep, dark and profound.

photo borrowed from novita.org.au

Who wants a child "like that"? Someone strong who wants to learn about weakness. Someone weak who wants to learn about strength. A person who wants to change the world, a person who wants to change one person's world. A person who wants to cry hard and laugh harder. A person who wants to drink deeply from what is sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet.

In short, Who wants a child "like that"? A "parent" wants a child "like that"... their child ... and they want to have every chance to do their job well. They deserve every support medical and social, emotional and financial that it take to bring "that child's" life to fruition, to bring "that child's" gifts to the world into which "that child", for what ever reason, chose to enter.

Comments

Two Kinds of Parents

Got this as a forwarded email ... a lot of these apply to my own family. == Moms, a stranger walks among you. We look like regular moms, but we are the hybrid to your standard engine. Our child's disability altered us, enhanced us. Many words describe us: resilient, creative, protective, emboldened, sympathetic, fierce and determined. We are special needs moms. How do our lives stand apart from your own? Take a look under the hood and see for yourself. Regular Parents vs Special Needs Parents by Dawn Villarreal , One Place for Special Needs , May 2010 Regular parents tell their kids to wake up and get dressed in the morning. And they do it. Special needs parents put on battle gear to get our kids ready to start their day. Regular parents ask their kids if they brushed their teeth. Special needs parents prompt, “Brush your top teeth. Brush your bottom teeth. Did you get the sides? Open your mouth. My God, give me that toothbrush! You’ve left half your mea

A Wonderful Story for Easter

This is a great read that is perfect for reflecting for this coming Holy Week . My co-egroup member Julie gave me permission to share her story. Please prepare some tissues for some happy tears :) ==== Unexpected Blessing By: Julie J. Hunter His name was Aaron , and I will never forget him. I was 16 years old and trying to hold down two jobs and finish my high school education. I babysat after school and on the weekends. My new job was an unbelievable opportunity. I was going to be the Easter Bunny at my local mall. Yes, you just read the words; I was the Easter Bunny. This opportunity was one of the most interesting jobs that I have ever had in my life. I mean, think about it I was being paid to "bounce"around the mall in a 7-foot fur covered rabbit suit, bringing smiles and giggles to children and adults of every age. Little did I realize that this job, this moment in my youth, would be one of the most rewarding of my life. photo borrowed from costum

First Swim This Summer

Two weekends ago, we were invited to my brother-in-law's birthday at their home. All the kids were excited to go swimming because the past few weeks since mid-February had been very, very hot. While his brothers immediately plunged in the pool, we placed James ' stroller near it and let him watch first while we finish his tube-feeding session. (His feeding bag and pump were strapped inside the backpack behind the stroller). See how excited our little boy is!

Gideon James' Journey

Search This Blog