Since I started this blog and have gone down the path of a mother with a disabled child I realized how many parents there are who live like I do. Their lives revolve around fighting for their children, learning, and struggling daily to keep these kids safe, and cared for. Each child is different, each family, and case is different, yet we are one. We are one community of parents who know pain, struggles, disappointment, fear, and wonder. We have felt the devastation of hearing our children are not "normal". I use quotes because one person idea of normal isn't another persons.
Though one mother may struggle with a child who needs feeding tubes another may have to deal with immobility. Does this make the daily struggles different, maybe a little, but in the end these mothers understand each other.
I have dubbed mothers of disabled children multi-abled parents. We have a different language than most other parents. We can talk in numbers, codes, and medical terms. We have a vast knowledge of medicines, surgeries, the best and worst hospitals and doctors. We have a different schedule than most other people. We run on doctor time. This means we are on call 24/7 and can drop anything at any sign of an emergency and stay cool while dealing with it. We are fighters for justice more than any senator or even president. We are willing and able to take on anyone to make sure our children get what they need and their rights are not violated.
In the end what do we get for this life? There is no day set aside for multi-abled mom's. We don't have an awards ceremony, or movies or books made about us. No, what we get is greater than all of these things. We get the love of our children, the joy of knowing we make a difference and most of all we get to belong to a great community of other multi-abled parents who we can share our joy, love, and accomplishments with.
I have enjoyed meeting all of my multi-abled parent superhero friends. You are all a part of me now as are your children. Know that as you would band together for me I will always do the same in return. You all rock!!
Great post Steph. It is true, parents of children with extra needs are absolutely amazing. Good job giving credit where credit is due:) P.S. Ignore the terrible text you got. It must be from someone who doesn't know you very well or care about you and your family.
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