If I could have a dollar for every time Canaan Dale, our son, smiles, I would be a rich woman.

Canaan Dale, who is four, is the sweetest little boy.  I don't know how anyone can look away from him whenever we go out in public.  Canaan Dale was born with brain damage which resulted in a lifelong disability (cerebral palsy) and left him unable to walk or talk.  Yet he is a very intelligent little guy: he knows what is going on and is quick to catch on learning new things.

Canaan is learning to express his feelings with his facial expressions and his eyes.  His face can speak volumes for what he cannot express verbally; one just has to learn how to read his cues and body language is all.

In addition to Canaan, we have a daughter, Portia, who is seven and a big help to us.  She absolutely adores her baby brother and often helps us to take care of him.  She is sad that he cannot walk or talk, but she would bend over backwards to make him happy and to have other people accept him as much as she does.

Portia is healthy. 

We were sad when we found out that our youngest would never walk or talk, but we are determined to give him the best possible life.  We take him places, play with him, help Canaan with his therapies, cry with him when he is sick, rejoice with him when he is well, and fight for his right to a decent education or life experiences.

Just because Canaan is physically disabled doesn't mean his mind is as well.  He is in no way mentally disabled: his mind is normal; it's his physical handicaps that make him seem mentally disabled when he is anything BUT.

All I want is for people to accept Canaan for what he is: a normal little human being who is NOT his disability.  I want them to see past his wheelchair or the fact that he cannot walk or talk.  He just might surprise you if you just give him the chance!

We love Canaan with all our heart and soul and we would do anything to ensure others that they do the same!