Today while I was talking with Alex's *new* Physical Therapist she got me to thinking about special needs. She got the feeling that I was very familiar with them. Immediately, I thought of only three things-- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Amniotic Banding Syndrome which are merely the names of diagnoses. But as I was driving home, I began to think of all the other things that would technically be considered special needs according to society and I began to see how God was showing me how insignificant they really are compared to the life that He has planned for each of my children.
See, if I wanted to be technical I can say that I am pretty familiar with
Asthma
Cleft Palate
FAS
Sensory Issues
Autism
Behavioral Issues
Urinary Incontinence
Bowel Incontinence
Orthopaedic issues
Amniotic Banding Syndrome
Spina Bifida
Poland Syndrome
Strabismus
Growth Hormone Deficiency
Attachment Issues
Cognitive Delays
Speech Delays
Inguinal Hernias
Eczema
Prosthetic Eyes
and yet most of these do not impact us on a daily basis. Many of them are as big of a deal as a child scraping their knee and me needing to put a band-aid on it with antibiotic ointment. Everyone knows that it is the hugs and kisses afterwards that make the owie better. As I think more about this, I am reminded of the wonderful story in John 9.
John 9
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
I am so encouraged by this story because of its message of hope, redemption, and that all people are worthy. Not only does it show God's miracles, but it shows how worthy God thinks we all are. It shows how God can take a huge disability such as blindness and make it a trivial thing that is healed instantaneously. It also shows that while God could have healed this man in the blink of an eye, He chose to illustrate how He heals through the use of medical intervention too.
Which is why many of the special needs I previously listed are no longer big deals around here. Most of them have been medically healed and the ones that have not, pale in compare to God's glory that is continually displayed through my children. I am incredibly blessed to be my kids' Mom-- each and every one of them.
Take time today to let your child know how uniquely and wonderfully made they are. Despite whatever extra special attention they may need they are so worth it!
P.S. If you have any questions about any of the special needs listed, please feel free to ask.
14 comments:
I have thought of this too, but in a somewhat different way, maybe.... That every single child has "special" needs but the only ones that ever get noticed are those that might make the child disruptive, or might in some other way negatively impact the school... For example, if you didn't give a blind child special help he/she would learn very little. But I have seen children who behave nicely, are polite and do well enough not to draw great unwanted attention to the school district - so more or less ignoring them is supposed to be GOOD ENOUGH! Little effort is ever given to seeing and working with the "special needs" of the quiet, well-behaved ones. That is what makes me angriest. Some children are never noticed - and so their potential is missed.
what is poland syndrome?
I agree. Sometimes I laugh at the things we say in our house when I think about how those things may not be said in other houses. "Davin, no choking." "Davin, pick your head up." I remember my older son Cheney, when he was about three, asking me if I thought Davin might be faking cerebral palsy so he could get extra toys:) Do you think he has held on for all of these 17 years to get extra toys?;) Cheney also once exlained Davin's situation as "a little problem". I love it! I have learned so much watching how my children deal with each other and their different abilities:)
I love this post, after raising then losing a daughter to Rett syndrome, i know first hand the way God works and the gifts he gives us in these children.
I would love to know more about FAS as we have a foster son with this condition who if God plan's it, I will get to raise.
Thanks
Sara x
Don't know how you do it. I have only one child who autism and I find that I am so overwhelmed I can hardly function on some days. I keep thinking and feeling that a sibling to love could make all the difference for him (we can't have any more biological children). I have wanted another child so badly and wanted my son to have the love of a brother or sister but I am terrified of not being able to give enough. My son can really drain me. How did you know if you could do it? How did your children feel when you adopted the first time?
I see so much love in your photos, so beautiful.
I am so glad you wrote this. You know that I have one referred to the FAS team. Now I have two. I am such the researcher, always looking for a way to make things better. I have had to slow down the past few days and reflect. I have realized that if I spend too much time trying to fix my children, I will miss out on who God made them to be. That would be disastrous.
Christine - what a wonderful reminder of the importance of each & every child - no matter what their needs. Thankyou so much for sharing - I really enjoyed your insite into this passage - I've never thought of it as medical intervention before.
God bless you
Renata :)
One of my sweet friends does not call them "special needs" but "unique needs". I love that. And we ALL have them!
Amen! Love this post. Not only can you see God's glory displayed through your children's special needs, God's glory is displayed through you and your husband as you parent them.
God Bless,
Kathie
Awwww....I love it. You said it so well. My 16 year old "just realized" a couple weeks ago that his 7 year old brother is disabled. He looked at me and said, "Mom, I just realized something...I have never thought of Jacob as disabled, just as my brother!" Now to some, Jacob is severely disabled, to us he is Jacob, the one we love beyond measure :) It's so awesome seeing things through God's eyes isn't it?
As a mom to two special needs guys I needed that reminder today. They are VERY SPECIAL and we love them so very much!!!
"Special Needs" children are indeed very special. Watching my son struggle daily, just to balance himself and not fall/run into things on accident, or having bathroom issues, can be hard at times. But it's those times when I'm reminded of how much God loves him and all of us. My son has blessed so many people already, and he's only 11. Those "special needs" at times become his strengths - that's who he is. He does and at the same time does not get special treatment - we do have to tailor his chores and school work to his abilities, and at the same time making sure we're pushing him just a little more.
Watching kids in his class, I know very well these kids are different, but different in a wonderful way. But they really do struggle every day with all these different issues - some are little but some are significant. The school district we're in is awesome, and has done a ton to help us raise and educate our son. I heard our schoold district is one of the best in the states, so maybe we're just blessed to live here and be a part of this community. God has been teaching me a lot through giving me a son with special needs, and all those lessons have been so wonderful. I learned that we can do everything we absolutely can to help our son overcome at least some of the things, but we can't fix any of it. God is who created him, and he's loved more than we can imagine. All we can do is love our children and do all we can to help them reach their highest potential.
Love this!
okay, I so needed that - my Adopted UA daughter is RAD, FAS, ADHD, etc,,,,, and I really needed to hear that this week! Thank you...
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