Although many people do not understand why my wife or I have adopted so many children with such significant special needs, many have been more than supportive of us.
This is William. "Bill", to most of you who know me. I have been happily married to my little Cajun wife, Louisiana, for 12 happy years, and she has been a "big" blessing in my life. (I say "big" this way because she is under 4' 10" tall!) She blessed me with three gorgeous children, but unfortunately, all of them died, two while still tiny babies. But I know they are in Heaven, with Jesus, and that Jesus is watching out over them. I still miss them; but God has since blessed us tenfold with special needs children.
He has blessed us with children with significant special health needs. The majority are physically disabled, and they are seriously handicapped. Quite a few are in wheelchairs, but others use crutches or other walking aids to aid in their walking. Some are also mentally handicapped as well as physically handicapped, so their needs are especially challenging; but they have managed to triumph over incredible odds; and they have proven to be happy, delightful children. And some are deaf/hard of hearing, learning disabled, or were burned severely. And two were even born without limbs, one without arms or hands (she had legs, but her legs were born paralyzed and useless, thanks to spina bifida), and the other without arms OR legs.
Yet, despite all of the physical stuff, I see them all as Miracles. Miracles from Heaven, and Miracles who have brightened our lives. In fact, I owe my life to these wonderful, beautiful children!
But despite all of their handicaps, these beautiful children have such amazing attitudes, and there is nothing they won't try to accomplish. Sure, it may take them a bit longer, but in the end, they will eventually meet their goal. Just give them a little time and patience, is all we ask.
While we may see the potential in each of our children, many people do not. They only see a group of handicapped children, and although they mean well, they say the wrong thing, and tender feelings get trampled upon, and it grieves us when we see our children hurt. Or they may say things about their race or ethnicity, and again, feelings are hurt. But despite their differences in skin or hair color, or even in the shape of their eyes or noses, all of these kids are beautiful to us, and they are our world. We would do anything for these kids, and all we ask of you is to show the kids a little more in the way of understanding or compassion.
Treat them normally..or as normally as possible. They are just kids, and they deserve love and understanding from society!
Despite the problems Louisiana and myself often face in caring for our large brood, many people have been more than supportive of our family. They know our raising such a big family is expensive, so they give us used clothes (in good condition), just so we don't have to keep shopping for our kids; or they give us shoes for them at little or no cost. Or people volunteer to go shopping for us or send us food. Or else they may give us cash, although we tell them NOT to (but still, somehow, we always manage to find extra cash in the mail). Or they may hear one of the kids is sick or in the hospital, and they may set up a fund-raising effort, so as to try to defray some of the staggering medical costs we often face. (Even with insurance, raising kids with medical needs can eat up our savings. Medical care for our brood is NOT cheap..and it's not cheap for ANYONE, nowadays!)
And another thing..people hear of our family, and they tell the newspaper about us, and we have been featured on the local news; "it's a perfect human interest story", they tell us, and they tell us that we are an inspiration to other families who are facing similar circumstances. We may have been on television or in the newspaper, but we are just a family raising kids; and I often don't understand what all of the fuss is about. We are just doing our job as parents, as any good, caring parent should, in raising their kids.
People also tell us how wonderful we are, and they are always amazed when they see us; but somehow, they see us, and they always end up feeling better about themselves. That makes us glad, because we are passing on God's Love to others, and if there isn't any love to go around..or no God.., then how in the world would we be able to function??
Maybe there was a reason behind God telling us to adopt special children. Maybe that is our purpose in life..our "calling", if you will. But it is a part of our lives that we will never regret, as our children have been our Gifts, and our greatest joy. We are indeed richer and blessed, because of them.
God bless our lovely children!!
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Reviewed by Sage Largo
11/19/2002
This story I have seen in real life.There are people willing to open their hearts and homes.Thank you so much for writing this
All the best Sage
Another amazing heartwarming story, I hope you find a publisher for these soon if that's your attention, you should really think on it, anyway a wonderful write as usaul. Your Friend In California Michelle!
LOVE AND HUGZ
And may God send you showers of blessings
nothing beats a parent's love...especially if they've chosen other parent's children as their own...heartwarming story, karen! 11 +++!! (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
