This was given to me when I learned Jake had Cerebral Palsy.
I believe the story has been passed along to thousands of mothers who just recently learned they were given a special gift from God - a Special Needs Child.
On January 19, 1989 we learned Jake had cerebral palsy. The doctor explained that Jake might never walk, talk or even recognize us. I cried and I could not bring myself to see Jake until a few hours later. I quietly walked into his room. It was about 5:00 AM. I looked down at Jake in his crib and he looked up and smiled at me. I knew he recognized me. I picked up Jake in my arms and I told him, "We will travel this journey together and learn all that we can so you will have a wonderful life".
Jake is the most important person in the world to me. When he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, my friends and family would comfort me and say "God never gives you more than you can handle". I thought they were crazy and just didn't know whatelse to say. It took awhile for me to believe this, but in time I would understand my son would be one of my greatest teachers.
How God Chooses a Mom for a Disabled Child
by Erma Bombeck
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew."
"Forrester, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecelia."
"Rudledge, Carrie; twins; patron saint... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."
The angel is curious. "Why this one, God ? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence. She'll have to teach the child to live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."
God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, this is a woman I will bless with a child less then perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word.' She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.
"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see - ignorance, cruelty, prejudice - and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
Exceptional Parent's Mission Statement:
To Develop, Translate, and Share Information as Tools for Positive Change for the Special Needs Community
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