If you know me, you know that I don't say "disability". When introducing my daughter to someone, I always say she has "Special Abilities". Think about that for a minute.. what can my daughter do that perhaps yours can't? What unique qualities about your own child are different from other children?
My daughter has Cerebral Palsy. My daughter was born in a traumatic fashion, where she was 27 weeks. She weighed 1 lb. 12 oz. The left side of her brain suffered a hemmorrage and a small side on her right... this caused her to have CP; which the definition of CP is
"a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth."
Even with this condition.. my daughter can 100% understand what you are saying to her, or asking her to do! She has jumped leaps and bounds to strengthen her coordination (and fine motor skills). She has gained strength and balance in her CORE (alot of walking in her gait trainer, walking via hand holding, and SURFING helps tremendously!).
She is a spit-fire. She is sweet. She is stubborn. She can communicate through an ipad. She can communicate through estimations of sign language. She can say a few words.. yesterday, she was trying to get my attention (I looked away for a second) and she said in a very loud, funny voice.. "Ma... MAAA!!" We laughed about it later..
When I think of how far my daughter has come.. I honestly can't believe it.. she may be a bit underweight, but she is strong. She is just totally awesome! And if you get to be a part of her life, know her or are invited in to find out more about her.. don't feel sorry for her or our family.. you can learn alot from her just by watching her Special Abilities.
I am so grateful for the love and support we as a family get through the many 'sudo' aunts and uncles that our daughter has; non blood related! I am grateful for our "tribe" who has helped her grow and treat her as any typical kid. My daughter is a typical child and doesn't need any special treatment other than to be talked to, played with & loved. Sadly, I think there are people in this world that feel that they see her as a money bank to fund their own life... if you are a person that is going to want to earn extra $$ (side hustle), please make sure you're the right fit.. it's okay to say, "i'm sorry i don't think i'm a good fit".
I post this today .. just to remind people that ALL KIDS.. special abilities or not need to be played with & spoken to ..just like all typical children. This nourishes children and helps them to grow, learn, and love. Don't treat my daughter any other way than you would others.
:)
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