On being special
I came across this blog a few days ago from a parent of a 14 year old boy with cerebral palsy. Maybe its like being in a secret society, but I can relate to a lot of what he writes about, even though I know little about the specifics of his situation, and he knows nothing of mine. For example, he writes:
“Ok, if you’re a parent of a special needs child you’ve heard it. Maybe from an older lady at church; or maybe in the grocery store; “you must be special people for God to give you this child”. Oh barf! All I want to do is scream (or maybe even kick that person in the shin).
I am not special; I would gladly let someone else be special. I have no special gift that helps me cope with the fact that I have a special needs child. I am a parent, not unique, but in a unique situation.
Some days I don’t feel like I can make it. I fight with my wife, I yell at my children… I guess that makes me a caring parent, not a special parent. So don’t tell me I’m special. Just tell me to hang in there.”
In a later post he adds:
“I sometimes struggle with the fact that people I would consider ‘complete dorks’ have perfectly healthy children. Why do they get a pass when I have to ‘go through the valley’? “They don’t deserve healthy children”, I say to myself.
I ask myself, “would I have a heart for children with special needs if I didn’t have one myself?” “Would my child be as spiritual and intelligent if he had been born without CP?” Good questions! I believe things happen for a reason. The problem is we don’t always get to see the reason. But the best part for me is that God has allowed me to see some of the reasons why. I feel blessed to see just a glimpse.”
I may be reading his blog, but he is reading my mind…