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Finding Miracles In All Circumstances.: Special Needs Parenting 101 by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Friday, November 2, 2007
Rated "G" by the Author.
A mother is grateful for all the blessings that God has given to her.
I look about me, look at my little family, look at where we've been where we are currently, and I can't help but praise God in all His goodness towards me.
I am the mother of three beautiful children, two girls and a boy, ages seven, four, and two. I am happily married (ten years now), and I make my living as wife, mother, and homeschool teacher. My husband works at a factory, making parts for cars.
Our children are our life: they are probably the most important thing that matters to me--under God, of course; He's Top Priority. He has to be.
Our children are named Chandler Morgan, Trinity Madison (the girls), and Dustin McCaleb (our youngest, our only boy). They have given us much joy.
They are also disabled. All three of them.
Chandler has mild cerebral palsy, wears a brace on one leg, walks with crutches, yet is otherwise healthy.
Trinnie has asthma, astigmatism (both eyes; wears glasses), learning difficulties (she has trouble with learning to read/write), and may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (She's always bouncing off the walls.)
As for little Dustin, he has spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disorder that can kill. He has gotten his own wheelchair, and he is losing his ability to function slowly, bit by little bit; it's heartbreaking, yet we are grateful for all the time we've had with him.
He is still a very happy little boy; nothing really upsets him: he just rolls with the punches, still laughs at the simpler things in life, lives life to the full.
Now you may think I should be angry because all three of our children are disabled; yet I refuse to bemoan my lot in life. God made them this way for a reason; He allowed them to be born this way to make me a better, stronger person. He allowed this to happen as a way to test my faith, see how I would respond to certain situations.
No, at times it isn't easy, yet I see their accomplishments (particularly in Dustin and Trinity's case), and it makes me want to bust my buttons with pride over my children. My children are angels, all have been through so much in their (short) lives, yet they remain unscathed, smiling, happy, productive children who bring joy to all who encounter them.
Last year, as an example, Dustin was hospitalized three times (once for pneumonia, once for choking, and a third time for seizures and a high fever).
Sure, it was terrifying having to call for an ambulance, seeing the paramedics tending to him during his times of illness; yet we remained hopeful, put our cares at the foot of the Cross, relied on God to get us through these valleys; and He did.
We came through the fire stronger than ever--and Dustin is still alive, a testiment to His Grace, a little Miracle child who still continues to beat the odds.
Our children have experienced both the good and ugly in life; yet they remain steadfast in their faith, enjoy going to church each and every week, enjoy learning about the Bible, about God.
They all know about Jesus (our two girls have since committed to asking the Lord to come into their lives; little Dustin, meanwhile, is too young to understand about Salvation; he hasn't asked yet, but we are hopeful that he will when he's older).
The girls enjoy telling other people about Jesus, and they try to live for Him as best as they can. Sure, like all kids, they get into trouble, yet that doesn't mean He loves them any less: He loves them all, unconditionally and always. We do too; we are their parents, and we would do anything to ensure that our children have all that they need in life.
I am here to tell other parents struggling with parenting children like ours not to give up hope. God is there in the midst of whatever trials they may be facing; He will never leave them; He is always there; and He will get them through the hardships.
All it takes is learning to trust in Him, leaning on Him, and praise Him for all things, even in times of sadness or uncertainty. We've learned to do this very thing; God has been faithful to us, and He always will be.
So, if you are facing a mountain of despair, uncertainty, or great sadness, please learn to lean on God today. He knows what He is doing, and even if things don't turn out the way you wanted or expected, still praise Him.
Thank Him for giving you these beautiful children, learn to see the good in bad situations, realize that there are many people facing the same thing--and what they are going through may be far worse than your own situation.
Trust me. Leaning on God and praying works. I know: I've been there, continue to be there.
I couldn't do it: I'd be so angry at God. One child with a disability bad enough, but all three? It would be so hard to rely on Him when I'd be wanting to scream, pull my hair out, blame Him ... still and all, some people are better at this than me: they have the patience, the love, the faith. Excellent write of what some families experience, cope with on a daily bais. Well done.
That a good in heath family witch children gets one bearing an illness is just bad, but three? I would have go our of my mind seeing my children suffering, don't know if ever I could wear a brave face less feel like one.
Georg
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