"I am"
for mothers of Special Needs Children.
I am the little engine that did. When on my journey in life, my tracks led
me to a mountain I looked at it
with defeat I then pondered the obstacle before me, and I then said
to myself over and over, "I think I can, I think I can...," I slowly started
climbing the mountain saying over and over, "I know I can, I know I
can,...." and I
made it over that ominous diagnosis and continued my journey. I am the
little engine that did.
I sometimes feel overwhelmed in my "houseboat" -- 365 days
and 365 nights a year, constantly working with and teaching my child. But
when the storms of isolation and monotony become most
unbearable, I do not jump ship. Instead I wait for the rainbow that is
promised to come.
I am Xena. With my steel plated armor I can battle anyone who gets in the
way of progress for my child. I can overcome the stares and ignorance of
those without a disability in their
lives - and educate them as to why my child is the way she is, and why she
does the things she does. With my sword of persistence, I can battle the
schools to have them properly educate my child. Yes, I am Xena - and I am
prepared for any battle that might come my way......
I am beautiful. I have hairy legs because I get no time alone in the
bathroom, and bags under my eyes from staying up all night with my child.
The only exercise I get is the sprint from my house to my car - to take my
child to therapy. Dressed up to me is, well - just that I had a moment to
get dressed! They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and so
even on the days when I don't feel very beautiful - I will know that I
am........ because God is my beholder.
I am the Bionic Woman. With my bionic vision - I can see through the
disability my child has, and see the beauty in her soul, the intelligence in
her eyes --- when others can't. I have bionic hearing - I can look at my
child when she smiles at me, and hear her voice say, "I Love You Mommy," ---
even though she can't talk. Yes, I am thankful to be Bionic.
I am Mary, A not so well known mother, of a Special Needs child. Who was
brought here to touch the souls of those around her, in a way that will
forever change them. And it started with me. By teaching me things I would
never have known, by bringing me friendships I never would have had, and by
opening my eyes as to what really matters in life. Things like the Joy of
just living in the moment, the Peace of knowing that God is in control,
never losing Hope, and knowing an unconditional Love that words cannot
express. Yes, I too am blessed by a special child, just like Mary.
I am Superwoman. I am able to leap over tall loads of laundry in a single
bound, and run faster than a speeding bullet, to rescue my child from
danger. Oh yes, without a doubt, I am Superwoman.
I am Moses. I was chosen to be the mother of a Special Needs Child. I may
at times question whether I am the right "man" for the job ---but God will
give me the Faith I need to lead my child to be the best she can be. And
like Moses, God will give me the small Miracles here and there, needed to
accomplish my mission.
I am Stretch Armstrong - a mom that can be stretched beyond belief and
still somehow return to normal. I can stretch limited funds to cover every
treatment and therapy that insurance won't. I can stretch my patience as I
bounce from doctor to doctor in a quest to treat my child. I can stretch
what time I have, and share it with my friends and family.
I am Rosa Parks. I refuse to move or waiver in what I believe is right for
my child --simply because my view is the minority, not the majority. I
refuse to believe "What can one mother do?" But instead, I will write, call,
and rally to the government if I have to, and do whatever it takes to
prevent discrimination against my child and ensure that he gets the services
he needs.
I am Hercules, the Greek goddess known for strength and courage. The heavy
loads
I must carry would make others crumble to the ground. The weight of Sorrow,
Fear at uncertainty of the future, Injustice at having no answers, and the
Tears of despair, would alone possibly be too much, --- even for Hercules.
But then the Joy, Laughter, Smiles, and Pride, - at my child's
accomplishments, - balance the load to make it easy to bear.
I am touched by an Angel, an Angel who lives in a world of her own. And
it's
true. She lives in a world of innocence and purity; world without hatred
or deceit. A world where everyone is beautiful and where no-one is ugly. A
world where there is always enough time; A world where she goes to bed with
no worries of tomorrow and wakes up with no regrets of the past. Yes, I
most
certainly am touched by an Angel, and in some ways, her world is better....
I am a true "Survivor" - the mom of a child, who has faced, is facing, and
will face, --some of the most difficult challenges life has to offer. I am
ready for the challenge and have God given endurance to last until the
end, -- along with a sense of humor to cope with all the twists, turns, and
surprises along the way. Oh yes, I am a TRUE "Survivor" - and I don't need
to win a million dollars to prove it!!!
I am a mom of a special needs child, all the above, and so much more.
Some day’s I will want to be none of the above - and just be a typical mom
with a typical child, doing typical things. On those days I will know it's
okay to be angry, and to cry, and to lean on my family, friends, for
support. Because after all, ---the most important thing I am is
human.
"The Little Things in Life"
It's the little things that you do in life I pay most attention to Sometimes
the smallest insult
Will hurt the most
It's the little things in life that you do I cherish most
Two flowers stand out In a garden of billions
Two kids pointing at the night sky
Not sure what they're thinking or looking at
But they too Appreciate the little things in life
It's the little things in life that You do for me that I love
A quick touch of your hand, a quick hug and kiss
The cuddle time that we get
You Holding me up when I want to fall reminds me that you are the reason why
I Cherish the little things in life
One thing I adore most The way you look at me
A little turn of the head While I stare into your eyes
We look into each other’s heart You help me enjoy all the little things in
life and give me the reason to keep going and to hold strong.
By: Kristen K
When things go wrong, as they sometimes
will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you frown a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you can never tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst
That you must not quit.
Author unknown
"Challenged"
Some say I am disabled,
But you know that isn't true.
I simply have a challenge
A little different from you.
My slight troubles, have
taught me
Things they said I could not know.
Each obstacle is a victory,
Helping me to grow.
I'm not really any different,
I cry, I laugh, I snore.
I don't want to be treated
As if I'm someone different anymore.
Sometimes I have to fall,
And sometimes I need to cry.
Out of good intentions,
People are afraid to let me try.
My family give me strength, dignity,
and the courage to be all I can be.
For they don't see me as disabled,
They just see me as me.
Life Lesson #1
Don't Judge me by the way I am
I have a friend I'd like to bring with me." "Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him." "There's something you should know," the son continued, He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us." "I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live." "No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us." "Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know. Their son had only one arm and one leg. The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.
Moral of this story is don’t judge a book by it’s cover, get to know a person before you decide if you are going to accept the person.
"Like Me"
There's a new kid who's come
to my class.
She's different from me and she isn't too cool.
She walks and runs in a funny way
she never comes first in a race,
she forgets which way is first base,
She studies most of the day in a separate class
And they say that it's called "Special Ed."
sometimes I don't understand what she's said,
her face looks kind of different from mine,
her talking is just sounds
And it makes me feel funny and there's one thing I know; She is nothing at
all like me.
My mother said, " I want you
to think
When you meet a person different and new
That she may seem a little bit strange, it's true,
But she's not very different from you,”
Well I've looked at her face;
When he's left out of games, she feels bad.
when other people tease her, I can see she's so sad.
I guess that's not so different from me,
And when we're in Music, she sure loves to hear music, she likes it just
like me!
I know in the gym she has
lots of fun;
She loves to jump, walk, and run.
That's not a surprise,
'Cause that's not very different from me,
She's always friendly, she pinches me and smiles.
She'd like to be friends and get into play catch,
Which is not very different from me,
“All I Need”
Ever wonder why you're the one?
Who was chosen to care for me?
It may not be obvious
sometimes
But you have all I need.
I need someone with
patience
I need someone who is kind.
I need someone who is
strong
not quick to lose their mind
I need someone who is
special
someone very special indeed
I need someone who will
care,
Someone to care for me
You may never know my
thoughts
you may never know my voice
Just please be reassured
that is not my choice.
God knew what he was doing
when he gave me to you
He knew you could handle
me
He knew what you could do.
You see I am very special
someone very special indeed
I know that I am not
perfect
things I need and can’t get make you cry
I am very aware that you try; you try your hardest
I'm your little girl and I know that you love me for me.
One day you will get me what I need; we will know your greatest intent
But for now I'm just me
No matter how hard that may be
But I am a special
person
Someone very special indeed
You'll never know how glad
I am
That God gave you to me.
You see us both are the
lucky ones
the lucky one is me I have you to take care of me and you are lucky to have
me!
