Special not entitled, and other bitter pills to swallow
I’m going to write about something that won’t be very popular with special needs parents but I feel it is something that needs to be brought out and discussed. Our beautiful children have special needs to help them reach their potential in life, but they aren’t entitled. I know that sounds harsh. I am a parent of two special needs children—one with autism and one was born with physical disabilities. As with anyone else faced with the challenge of raising a special needs child, I was in no way prepared. Not just for the logistics involved—the doctors’ appointments, the therapies, becoming an advocate and a researcher. I wasn’t prepared to mourn the life I believe they should’ve been given, the life I should’ve been given. I mourn it in some way every day. Some days are better than others, but even after all these years, I still am brought to tears when we are faced with a situation which would’ve had a different ou...