Sometimes as parents of kids with disabilities, some of us feel like this:
There is too much going on and we cannot focus.
Parenting is hard. So hard. There is no manual and you just try to do the best you can. And if your child has a disability, hard can turn into I-have-no-idea-how-to-do-this-and-I feel-like drowning.
And maybe when we’re out in public you see us having one of the hard days. When our kids are overstimulated, or when we’re frazzled to the tips.
But even though there are hard days and hard moments and hard hours, that is not what steers our life. What really matters – what is most important – is love.
Because there is the good, there is the joy, there is the pride we feel for our kids. There is the excitement of even the smallest accomplishments. And always, always the unending love.
And if you ever see a child with a disability and think you could never do it, yes, yes you could do it. Because of love.
So next time you see a special needs parent, rather than thinking of how hard it is, I hope you think about what matters most. I hope you see the love. I hope you think of this:
And this:
And I hope you see the beauty of moments like this:
And this:
And I hope you smile when you see this:
And this:
And won’t you look at this adorable baby!
Because you know, this life is beautiful too. It might be different, but it is full of hopes and dreams and moments that take our breath away. Beautiful moments.
This life is rich and full.
There is joy.
And some of us have even chosen to have this life, because of love:
And we wouldn’t trade our kids for anything in the world.
This is life.
Full.
Rich.
Beautiful.
Ours.
Overflowing with love.
Special Needs Parents, Are You Surviving?
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Ellen, I just said to my husband that even though bedtime is a lot of work with our 8 year old, I really love the moments after he falls asleep. Most nights I listen to his even breathing and am just consumed by the love that I feel for him… that moment of just being…just loving him…hearing him breathe. It’s beautiful.
Here is the hard, sassy, wonderful daughter of mine. Even tho she is 17, she is really 5 inside. Adopted at 6 loved for 11 years!
Love the pictures!
Thank you for sharing!
My daughter is 1 and everyday with her is a blessing. She was born blind deaf and with so much fluid where her brain should be that her brain didn’t develop she has seizure everyday.. She was given a 5 percent chance of life. Everyday she proves so many ppl wrong.. At night when she sleeps I sit up and stare at her and thank God for the blessing he gave me!!
Beautiful
My 14 yr old son Christian was born with lissencephly. Drs. said he wouldn’t make it past 2. Everyday that he is with me is a blessing. Just looking at his beautiful smile brings overwhelming joy. With him everything is unconditional. He has taught me so much, patience, appreciation of the smallest of things, and the value of special time. I am surely blessed to have my Christian.
Yes – Love is right.
That was amazingly beautiful. ❤
Beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes and sent me scurrying into the living room to hug with my sweet kidlette. Thank you, Ellen!
Bless you bless you bless you !! Our son is 16 and he is our gift of grace from our Father God ! Love your writings and the pictures are priceless !