James Patrick First Day of Pre-K School 2012
I'm still taking a short break till next week but couldn't miss this opportunity to share the first
WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY
I will be back Monday Sept. 10th.
I wanted to share my daughter's TOP 10 things I would like for others to know about parenting a child with CP
1. James is a Blessing not a Burden- James came into this world exactly how God knew he would, and he is perfectly and wonderful made. He may have more physical obstacles than most of us but his life is full of joy and happiness. And he gives US nothing but Joy and Happine
Please share this with family and friends who may be dealing with a special needs child.
Blessings
P.S. No news about #1 husband....had to reschedule 2nd biopsy but Dr. is NOT worried.
See ya Monday!!
Please come visit Monday! I have LOTS of NEWS from my 2 week Break! Nothing is ever simple here on the farm and true to form, it has been quite a "challenge" these past 2 weeks. Good thing I took a Break.
1. James is a Blessing not a Burden- James came into this world exactly how God knew he would, and he is perfectly and wonderful made. He may have more physical obstacles than most of us but his life is full of joy and happiness. And he gives US nothing but Joy and Happine
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2. James IS a "normal" kid ( whatever that word means anyway)- James is a typical 4 year old in every way. He plays and laughs and gets into mischief. We have to parent him just like any other child. We deal with the same issues that other parents have to deal with when raising a child.
3. I am NOT a Saint- God knew from the time He formed me that James would be my son. He prepared me for this life even when I didn't know what He was preparing me for. I love my son no more or less because he has a physical challenge than you love your fully able bodied child.
4. We have HIGH expectations for James- The dreams I have for James didn't die when we got his diagnosis. We are learning how to teach him new ways to achieve his dreams, but we fully expect our son to be a fully functioning contributor to society. He will go to college, get married, have children and be the man God has planned for him.
5.The word "retard" should be taken out of everyone's vocabulary!- It hurts and even said in jest it is a word that we should all stop using because it isn't funny.
6. It is Ok to ask me questions- I LOVE talking about my son ( what mother doesn't) I don't mind when people are sincerely trying to learn about my son or others like him.
7. Not all CP is the same- Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term that is used to describe a VERY large range of motor function disabilities. James's CP is unique to him and he progresses and functions uniquely.
8. Parents of kids with CP need patience- We dont have this all figured out and we are learning as we go. Most of us were thrown into this life in a very traumatic and sudden way. We are learning how to navigate not only our own emotions and fear about the future; but we are also teaching our children how to navigate this world that we know nothing about as well. We are literally flying by the seat of our pants here and we need friends that will stand with us and not judge us.
9. Sometimes it is hard to see "YOUR" (someone else's) child's physical success- We treasure friendships and especially those that stick by us through the hard times. But sometimes it is just plain hard to watch your child physically move ahead of ours. And sometimes we just need to be sad about that. It is nothing that anyone needs to, or can, fix and it has nothing to do with our friendship. It is a feeling of loss that sometimes creeps in on special needs parents and we have to work through it.
10. I don't wish my son "fixed"- I know that can sound strange to some that don't live this life. And yes, it is true that this is not the path I would have chosen for James, but it is the path that God chose for him and there is a reason for it. James is not broken and therefore doesn't not need to be "fixed". We are here to help him learn to use his body the best he can and to build strength and skills just like any child. 2. James IS a "normal" kid ( whatever that word means anyway)- James is a typical 4 year old in every way. He plays and laughs and gets into mischief. We have to parent him just like any other child. We deal with the same issues that other parents have to deal with when raising a child.
3. I am NOT a Saint- God knew from the time He formed me that James would be my son. He prepared me for this life even when I didn't know what He was preparing me for. I love my son no more or less because he has a physical challenge than you love your fully able bodied child.
4. We have HIGH expectations for James- The dreams I have for James didn't die when we got his diagnosis. We are learning how to teach him new ways to achieve his dreams, but we fully expect our son to be a fully functioning contributor to society. He will go to college, get married, have children and be the man God has planned for him.
5.The word "retard" should be taken out of everyone's vocabulary!- It hurts and even said in jest it is a word that we should all stop using because it isn't funny.
6. It is Ok to ask me questions- I LOVE talking about my son ( what mother doesn't) I don't mind when people are sincerely trying to learn about my son or others like him.
7. Not all CP is the same- Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term that is used to describe a VERY large range of motor function disabilities. James's CP is unique to him and he progresses and functions uniquely.
8. Parents of kids with CP need patience- We dont have this all figured out and we are learning as we go. Most of us were thrown into this life in a very traumatic and sudden way. We are learning how to navigate not only our own emotions and fear about the future; but we are also teaching our children how to navigate this world that we know nothing about as well. We are literally flying by the seat of our pants here and we need friends that will stand with us and not judge us.
9. Sometimes it is hard to see "YOUR" (someone else's) child's physical success- We treasure friendships and especially those that stick by us through the hard times. But sometimes it is just plain hard to watch your child physically move ahead of ours. And sometimes we just need to be sad about that. It is nothing that anyone needs to, or can, fix and it has nothing to do with our friendship. It is a feeling of loss that sometimes creeps in on special needs parents and we have to work through it.
Please share this with family and friends who may be dealing with a special needs child.
Blessings
See ya Monday!!
Please come visit Monday! I have LOTS of NEWS from my 2 week Break! Nothing is ever simple here on the farm and true to form, it has been quite a "challenge" these past 2 weeks. Good thing I took a Break.
Jane,
ReplyDeleteLove you, even though we have never met in person. Consider yourself hugged with my heart, body and soul. I understand James is not broken...different obstacles for every one of God's children.
You bring tears to my eyes as I read your post.
Again, big hugs to you.
My adult sister has Cerebral Palsy and is doing quite well. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGlad you listened to that inner voice saying take a break. Thanks for the update on hubby. Special thanks to your daughter for the words from her heart. See your Monday.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we all just need a break, I am happy to hear that the Dr. doesn't seem to worried. Only one thing I would like to add to your daughter's beautiful works, is please don't rudely stare at a child's disability. I would rather you came up and asked so I could educated you. My daughter is feeling she has to put a patch on Jonah's eye (the one that didn't grow) because people stare at him so openly, especially adults children are more likely to ask what is wrong. He doesn't notice but it breaks my daughter's heart. I think she should wait till Jonah gets old enough to make that decision himself. He always says "I am not blind I can see Grammie" Blessings Sandra
ReplyDeleteWe all have challenges and limitations, though some are more visible than others. I went as an assistant leader of a group of "special needs" Scouts to a world Jamboree. For two weeks we combined our strengths to overcome our weaknesses. James has been provided with a wonderful team. He will not only add to the whole, but bring our the strengths in the others. Thanks for this post. Your whole family is in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI love ME's way of expressing things! Are you going to be around tomorrow evening -- say around 5:45/6:00ish? I've got mine and Barbara's swap quilts for you!! :)
ReplyDeleteAMEN!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and your family! That James gets more handsome everytime I see him! He is such a cutie and that smile is to die for. Y'all better watch out when he gets older, he will catch all the girls. No news is good news, in this case. I pray all is going better at the farm.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written! I'm sure she speaks for many. blessings, marlene
ReplyDelete