Well this morning I was driving Porter to a therapy center in Idaho Falls where he recieves IBI. Right next door to where he goes is a adult center for people with needs. This is again one of the highlights of my week to talk with some of the amazing people who attend this center and the incredible people who work there. As I pulled up and had the radio on, I was listening to people talk and debate abortion and the whole Sarah Palin issue of having a child with downs etc... I pulled up and saw two of my new favorite friends a small boy who has downs and autism, and a older woman who to be completely honest I am not sure her disability. But she always has a bright purple bear that she loves to cuddle and tell you about how special her bear is. I sat in my car with tears filling my eyes knowing that there are some who argue that these wonderful people should be aborted. I know first hand the heartache and stress of having a child with needs, I know what it means to a family and to myself. With all the pain I have endured, to stop and think that there are people out there who do not consider my child an important member of society, along with these beautiful angels I see daily, I truly could not understand. My heart just broke today. In thinking about this I thought to myself how often do we all take the opportunity to get to know and be touched by these angels? How often are we too scared or uncomfortable to go up and say hello to them and their families? I know first hand how many people won't say hello or look you in the eyes when you have one of these kids and it makes me sad. Not for myself, but for those too afraid. I am sad because then we miss out on meeting the angels.
So I wanted to tell you all about a few angels I know and share with you some of the happiness they have brought me in my life because I want to help those around me be apart of this wonderful world of angels. Hopefully this will help us all be a little less afraid.
First is our friend Paige. I think she is Nickelle's absolute favorite person outside of our family. Paige is a beautiful 5 yr old who has downs. She has the most beautiful long blonde hair and like Nickelle she loves getting her hair done. She cannot get enough pink. In fact even the rims of her glasses are pink. Again are we seeing why her and Nickelle get along so well. She thinks babies are the greatest and looks forward to seeing Bennett. She loves to hold his hands and pet his face. She tells me "he, is the most beautiful huh?". I always agree. She always has a great big hug for us and loves to walk around holding Nickelle's hand. It is funny but Porter knows how gentle he should be with her and he is hardly ever gentle. But he always is with Paige. She always has something to tell us and is such a hard worker. I look forward to all the times we see Paige.
Second is actually my bishop's daughter Katie. She too is so beautiful. She has short blonde hair and glasses and is around my age. You would never know by looking at Katie that she has autism. She just seems really shy. When she was Porter's age they shared a lot of the same traits and behavioral problems but she has grown to be a beautiful, kind and soft person. She loves to sing and I am not kidding when I say she has a angels voice. She loves to color and spend time with her family. Katie intellectually is probably at a 6 yr old level but that has never stopped her from being happy and loving to learn what she can. She is a constant reminder to me for what I truly desire for Porter. She loves her family, she is kind, and she loves the church.
I could go on with a bunch more but I wanted to add our cousin Neil. He is what we refer to as the miracle kid. He actually had a stroke at birth and has Cerebral palsy. He has endured numerous hours of therapy and now can do everything you and I can. He walks, runs, and swims (honestly no one can keep up with him in the pool). He is amazing but the coolest things about Neil are that he is the absolute best hugger. He never gives you a half hug it is always a deep full on hug. He never stops smiling. He has the best laugh. He loves to make people laugh. He is so smart and always has something new to tell me. He loves his dog and has so much fun playing with the dog. When kids make fun of him he just keeps going along and having fun. He is proud of who he is. I love this kid!
One last thing before I end this post, I wanted to add that the people who work with these kids do amazing jobs. They never get paid enough, they see the worst conditions and are surrounded by heartache. So few want to be in this field that they are incredibly overworked. They are people who always put their whole hearts into their jobs. They are people willing to look the impossible in the face and say I demand more. They never give up on these kids when all the world just wants you to. They keep the families of these kids going. They motivate, encourage, support and lend and compassionate ear whenever needed. They are hero's to my son and my family.
I did not put all this on here for a guilt trip or anything like that. In fact you all are the ones who support and love us and have strengthened us through all this. I just wanted to share my thoughts with all of you and hope we all can be a little less afraid and include these kids that much more in our lives. Because I want to share these angels with all of you because I love you!
3 comments:
What a touching blog. You are so inspiring to me. Porter has personally touched my life. He is so happy and enthusiastic about life. I look up to that little 3 year old.
I loved reading your post. Children with disabilities are on my mind a lot and have a special place in my heart as well.
Thank you Season! I wish everyone in the world had a 'disability' sometimes so that we would all get more hugs and more smiles. So does being normal mean being grumpy?
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