What My Special Needs Little Boy Has Taught Me...

What My Special Needs Little Boy Has Taught Me...

1. It's not about how fast you reach a milestone. We are not in competition. It's about setting goals and giving it all that you have until you reach your mark.

2. There is more than one way to do most things and it's ok if you don't do things like everyone else.

3. Raising a special needs child opened a whole new world that I never really knew existed. It's full of amazing, unique, and strong people that have endured some of life's hardest tests and have overcome things that most can only imagine.

4. I am learning a second language (Sign language). You really can teach an old dog new tricks!!!

5. Some of your biggest support as a parent of a child with special needs will come from complete strangers who have walked the road before you.

6. I learned I am stronger than I ever imagined I was and my son is even stronger. He is my SUPER HERO!

7.  Education is not a, "ONE SIZE FITS ALL" kind of thing and IEPs can be very complicated.

8. Everything is beautiful, exciting, and interesting if you will only slow down long enough to take a closer look at things.

9. Blaze has made me an expert calendar keeper and time manger.

10. Just because they don't kiss you or hug you doesn't mean that they don't love you. Actually, special needs kids can love very deeply even though they may not physically show it.

11. Not every day is good, but if you look a little closer you will find something good in every day.

12. Not everyone is going to care about and love your child as much as you do and that's ok. That just gives you a good excuse to love them twice as much + plus some.

13. If someone tells you that it can't be done, it's up to you to prove them wrong.

14. It's ok to be different, it makes life more interesting. God makes some of us a little different to offset the excessive number of boring people on earth.

15. I learned that horse therapy is called hippotherapy. Imagine my face when they suggested Blaze starting  hippotherapy. Do what? ummm...sorry but my kid is not going anywhere near a hippo.

16. Doctors don't know everything. Sometimes moms really do know more!

17. Miracles do still exist! I have one and I call him my SON.

18. We have more than 5 senses. I bet you didn't know that! Me neither, until I met my amazing Blaze. School has taught us wrong all of these years.

19. Being deaf/ nonverbal does not mean quiet. Actually, Blaze can be very loud at times. If you are around us and Blaze gets loud please know that I am aware and that  I will do my best to get him to quiet down but PLEASE understand that he doesn't realize he is being loud. Remember he is deaf. When he makes noises it's because it feels good to him.

20. There really are angels among us. They often come disguised as PTs, OTs, SLPs, teachers, and advocates. People who really do care and have a heart. Blaze has been blessed with some of the best over these last 7 years. I can't imagine where we would be if they had not been with us every step of the way.

21. Patience is a must. Just don't ever pray for it because God will grant it in ways you may have never imagined. I'm proof!

22. Blaze has taught me courage. I've had to be strong and stand up for what I think is right and best for my son and at times it hasn't been easy. Who am I kidding??? IT'S BEEN DOWN RIGHT HARD (Doctors, treatment plans, school districts, teachers, laws, rights, etc).

23. It's ok to ask for help. The hardest for me is admitting that sometimes I really do need help. It's ok sometimes to ask for help from others. It's ok to ask questions about the things you don't know or understand (even to ask them to repeat it three more times when you still don't get it). It's also ok to ask for a break from time to time, and it's even ok to vent as needed.

24. I can drive in Atlanta!!!! Imagine that. I would have never dreamed I'd drive in Atlanta traffic. Now, I do it all the time. I'll do anything for my little boy to make his life better.

25.  Every child has potential sometimes they just need one person to believe in them.

Dear Special Needs Little One...

Dear Sweet Child,

Today a fighter was born. You. Yes, you. The sweetest, tiniest, most precious little soul. You are strong, brave and full of courage. I’d like to welcome you to the world and tell you a little about what to expect on your journey. It may be a confusing time for you. Machines monitoring your progress, your parents’ tears falling gently upon your delicate skin and doctors swirling around you. Never fear, you are loved. You will soon find clarity and your purpose. Life for you will be a little different than it is from most. You see, you were born special.

There will be days in your life when you will reach for the stars and other days when you will feel defeated no matter how hard you try. There will be triumphs and celebrations and at times unexpected set-backs. Your life will be a tender balance of difficulties and joy. But you will undoubtedly do amazing things. You have a gift to light up dark rooms, to speak without words, to inspire others and to demonstrate unconditional love. But the world won’t always make it easy for you to shine like the star you were born to be.

There will be times when you are met with cruelty. Stares, hurtful words, uneducated people and those who cannot yet see the beauty that is before them. It may make you feel lonely or worthless, but you must remember you are far from those things. Your heart will be wounded at times, but you need to know you are never alone. Because your heart is so big, you’ll be quick to forgive. You’ll teach more lessons in one minute than some can learn in a lifetime.

The world around you will occasionally be complicated and messy. You may hear predictions about your destiny and have expectations placed upon you. Remember you are defined by none of it. There are no limits to what you can achieve and accomplish. No one can determine what you will be capable of during your journey. You will be a surprise each day to those around you.

There may be scary and hard times too. You may experience a multitude of medical procedures, endure countless hours of therapy and even accumulate various types of assistive devices to help you along in your day. There will be a team of those loving you through those times, and they will bring you comfort to see you through all of it.

You are going to do so much with your time here. It is not about what you can do or can’t do that will define your life. Spreading love will be your specialty. You may encounter hate, spite and ignorance, but the love within you will be stronger than all of it.

We’re really glad you’re here. Your life brings so much value to the world. You might need a pep talk sometimes and that’s OK. We all need that from time to time. But no matter what, remember never give up hope that things will be better tomorrow.

For now, remember this: When you feel low on smiles and you feel it’s over before you’ve had a chance to begin, dig deep and remember your purpose. Laugh loud, live in the moment and dream big and most of all remember you matter in this world.

Love,

Stacy, Chris, Noah and Luke

This post originally appeared on Noah’s Miracle.

I read this letter on another blog and it brought tears to my eyes. I can so relate to the feelings this parent has. I've watched my little boy go through so much over these last 2.5 years. He has came a long ways, endured so many procedures, test after test, therapies, and hospitalizations. Some see him and don't realize what all he's been through. Others see him and wonder why he is the way he is. It's hard....sometimes very hard. Especially when I see him struggle and I know that I can only do so much to help him.
  However, I am so thankful that God chose me to be the mother of this amazing little boy. He is my superman. He has fought battles that most can't even begin to imagine and he has been through more than most adults go through in their whole lifetime. He's going to do amazing things... I knew it the first day that I met him. God has amazing plans for my Blaze. Just set back and watch my little superman fly.