A Deeper Glimpse into Our Unique World
I wanted to take a moment to share an insider look into raising a child with special needs as many may not fully understand what it takes to care for our children behind the scenes and the toll it takes on the entire family.
Our son recently had his week-long winter break from school, and it wore us out mentally & physically. Please don’t misunderstand the fact that we love our son with everything in us, but this life can be exhausting. Every once in a while, we will hear a person respond in a less favorable manor when we share the smallest glimpse of human weakness in the light of our circumstances. But for the most part, people are compassionate.
Depending on how severe a child’s special needs are determines how much exhaustion and strain it can cause on the family. For instance you can see a child with autism who appears normal to the average person yet who needs constant attention every moment of the day. Then you can have a wheelchair bound child who is totally self-sufficient. I wonder if the variance in the types of special needs is the reason for the stigma.
Our son has what is classified as moderate to severe special needs. He is totally dependant on someone else for his daily activities and needs (i.e. toileting, bathing, eating, transporting, etc). That means that every moment of every day someone needs to within arms reach of this little guy. So when school is out, we are in constant motion. Whether for the bathroom, a drink, or a fallen toy, we must always be there. It’s hard to express how taxing it can become. Not to mention that he is getting bigger in size, and we still must carry him quite a bit to ensure that gets to his destination safely.
But he is still our son, and we love him deeply. He brings us so much joy, and we are more than willing to endure whatever is necessary to ensure his success. At times though our human emotions and strength wanes. I don’t know one parent that prays for a child with special needs, but God sees fit to give them to some of us. It’s a hard journey, but our children are worth it. So, if you see a family with a child with special needs, and they look a little down or tired, don’t judge them too harshly. If you get an opportunity vote for, support, or pray for a family please DO IT. They need all the care they can get.
Written by Damian Sr.
