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I am a Special Needs Parent and...

I am a Special Needs Parent and...

I wanted to write a post titled “you might be a special needs parent if”... you know, one of those real click baity typed articles that you see.

But then upon reflection, I realised that no two special needs parents are the same, just like how no two children are the same.

So I thought I’d make my own list… see which ones you can relate to!

I’d love to see examples from others that applies to their situation too.

I am a special needs parent...

And I wish I had £1 for every time I’ve got my clothes caught on a wheelchair handle.

I am a special needs parent, and I judge bags based on their ability to hold a mini hospital and a wardrobe

I am a special needs parent, and I go in shops and see boxes/baskets and storage as medical supply heaven

I am a special needs parent, and I turn up early for appointments; even though you know for a fact they were running late before even opened

I am a special needs parent, and I can spot another special needs parent or child a mile off

I am a special needs parent, and my conversations with special needs parent friends would not be understood by 99% of the population. Because we learned a language we didn’t know existed.

I am a special needs parent, and I see a huge disparity between how the world is, and how the world SHOULD be

I am a special needs parent and I fight battles everyday… but over time have learned to pick them more carefully

I am a special needs parent, and packing the car is like a real life game of Tetris (and unfortunately Jenga), even just for a trip to the shops

I am a special needs parent, and I can reel off every medicine and dose my child has… and take delight in the impressed reception I get every time I do it.

I am a special needs parent, and I have a name other than “mum”

I am a special needs parent, and I feel like I have to outlive my child. But I can’t bear the thought of losing her

I am a special needs parent, and I can change my child’s feed in the dark with my eyes shut. (Only to hear it occluding ten minutes later when I’m asleep)

I am a special needs parent, one moment I burst with happiness and pride; and the next I am overcome with grief and want to sleep all day

I am a special needs parent, and with my child… we either feel invisible… or like the spotlight is focused solely on us

I am a special needs parent, and I have witnessed my child endure things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy

I am a special needs parent. My child can’t tell me how her day was. My child can’t tell me she loves me. She can’t tell me if she is in pain. So I have had to find a new way to listen

I am a special needs parent, and I don’t take a single thing for granted. Every smile is golden

I am a special needs parent, and I spend more time at the pharmacy or hospital than most other places

I am a special needs parent, and my job is 24 hour. The pay is nothing, there are no sick days or holidays. But I am eternally grateful to do what I do

I am a special needs parent. I am my child’s expert. No amount of textbook training, ward experience, or years of experience can account for the fact - that the parent knows their child like no one else ever could. And we need to be heard

I am a special needs parent, and I am learning everyday. I work hard to swallow my rage at the many injustices I see everyday in our society

I am a special needs parent. I get hit, slapped and kicked. I get nose bleeds, bruises, and fat lips, but I breathe, I get through it, and we move on

I am a special needs parent. Sometimes my life moves so fast that when I stop to process recent events I have a panic attack or night terrors

I am a special needs parent. I agonise daily over whether or not I am doing enough whilst simultaneously admitting I can’t do anything more

I am a special needs parent, and whilst I witness discrimination and inaccessibility; I have also never known such kindness. I have the most incredible support network and am grateful everyday

I am a special needs parent, and I spend my spare time learning the words to obscure nursery rhymes to impress my child. Her sensory needs for music are pretty extreme, and I live to make her giggle

I am a special needs parent, and I want your child to say hi to my child

I am a special needs parent, and through knowing my child, my life is enriched, and I see the world in an entirely different perspective

I am a special needs parent, and I feel great anguish when my child struggles with her challenges. But the pride that overrides it when she overcomes those challenges, is a feeling I can’t even begin to explain

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave your additions to the post, I'd love to see them.

Firefly Blog

Real life stories, issues and experiences of day to day life by special needs parents and
healthcare professionals.

Ceri-Ann Brown

Meet Our Blogger

My name is Ceri-Ann Brown and I live in Stockport, Manchester. I live with the love of my life Phil, my amazing daughter (Amy-Rose) and my giant guinea pig Vito. I care for Amy full time and work one day a week in an office/call centre. In my spare time (ha!)

View Ceri-Ann’s Profile

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