Define Special Needs

I will never forget the first time someone labeled my daughter as "special needs". WHAT does that mean? When I was a therapist, we loved labels, it helped us know what to expect from a child and how to treat them but as a mother I did NOT like that term used for my sweet little girl.

NOW ..................................

I am so grateful to have a special needs child, she teaches me the true definition of loving unconditionally, that tone of voice matters, that eye contact is valuable and that down time is sacred. 

I shutter to think the kind of mother I would of been without all the lessons I have learned from her.  

I would of taken so many things for granted and allowed time to escape without stopping to really SEE her. 

She has taught me to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN like the fireman tell you to do when you see a fire.  That is what happen to me, I saw a fire in her and I had to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN. 

STOP blaming, or searching for the whys, stop wondering or worrying. 

Stop being anger at her all the time. Stop being angry in general. Stop listening to every one's advice. Stop trying to figure out what was wrong and missing SO many things that were right. Stop refusing help.

LOOK at who I was inside and out. Look for the ways I could change instead of trying to change her. Look at ways I could make her life more comfortable. Look up to Christ instead of at the world.

LISTEN to her. Listen to the subtle signs that being too busy we often overlook. Listen to the unspoken cry of a child in need of a mommy.

So really I believe ALL kids are special needs. They all have special individual needs that as a parent we have to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN to.