Language
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • Swedish

Insurance Funding Request

Did you know Firefly products may be funded by your insurance?

Learn More
Back to Firefly Blog

Why is He in That Chair?

Why is He in That Chair?

Just a few weeks ago we celebrated the miracle milestone of Zac starting nursery.

Having SMA type 1 meant that this was a milestone we did not know if Zac would see and although it was definitely an occasion to celebrate, it also brought feelings of fear and anxiety for me as a mama.

Zac was diagnosed at 17 months with SMA – a neuromuscular, life limiting condition.

Since then I’ve gotten used to the stares, the questions and the interest in my son’s life. I’m okay with people asking most things and I like to answer as honestly and as openly as I can.

I don’t mind people asking about Zac’s feeding tube, his physio routines, his hospital visits or his treatment but I do find people asking about life expectancy is a step too far.

I can answer these questions as a mum.

I can choose which ones to answer in detail and which ones to ignore and I can choose to protect Zac in my answers but I was afraid nursery would bring questions that Zac wouldn’t be able to answer and that it would also cause Zac to ask his own questions.

The day for starting nursery arrived and I wheeled Zac’s bright green superhero wheelchair into the foyer and then I transferred him from this chair into his big blue nursery chair.

I fitted on his tray so he could access the toys and we were good to go meet the other children.

“Why is he in that chair?” one curious little boy asked.

I answered simply “Zac needs his wheels to get around the nursery as his legs aren’t strong enough”. I waited for the further questions, waited for their reaction, waited for the curiosity to think up something else but all that followed was “oh do you want to play”.

In that single moment I saw a group of children who didn’t need to question and they didn’t need answers – they simply accepted Zac for who he is.

We’ve been at nursery for a few weeks now and since that first question there have been no more.

Zac’s chair is always surrounded by friends to play with; the children excitedly bring him cars, trains and building bricks to play on his tray.

They don’t question Zac’s ability and it’s almost like they instinctively know; during pumpkin carving a little boy came over to Zac and helped him roll the pumpkin when it was his turn, a little girl brought Zac the small light weight trains because in her words “Zac has tiny hands so likes tiny trains”.

I see these lovely children accepting Zac every day.

They don’t need to know what his condition is, they aren’t interested in his medication, they don’t get weighed down by worries of his future, they just see Zac and want to play and have fun.

I’m sure as Zac gets older there will be questions from his friends as they start to realise he’s different but for now it makes my heart very happy to know that Zac is accepted for Zac, he’s accepted for his different kind of normal – no questions asked.

Firefly Blog

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

Amy Cameron

Meet Our Blogger

I’m mummy to 2 boys with very different needs - follow us to see how we live a different kind of normal.

View Amy’s Profile

Become a Firefly Blogger

Would you like to write for Firefly? Join our blogger network of parents, therapists and professionals.

Get In Touch

Become a subscriber today

Join over 40,000 subscribers to our weekly newsletter with insightful articles just when you need them.

Join Mailing List

By using our site you agree to our use of cookies. Click here for more info.

Accept & Close

No Interest if paid in full in 6 months on

Purchases on $99+

US Customers only. Subject to credit approval. See terms below

Paypal Credit

Pay now or pay over time with PayPal Credit. Just use PayPal Credit in PayPal checkout.

Subject to credit approval.

Purchases of $99+:

No Interest if paid in full in 6 months on purchases of $99 or more.

  • A minimum monthly payment is required and may or may not pay off the promotional purchase by the end of the 6 month period.
  • No interest will be charged on the purchase if you pay it off in full within 6 months. If you do not, interest will be charged on the purchase from the purchase date at the Purchase APR applicable to your account.
  • For New Accounts: Variable Purchase APR is 25.49%. The APR is accurate as of 6/1/2018 and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate (as defined in your credit card agreement). Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
  • Individual items that are less than $99 qualify for special financing when combined for a total of $99 or more in a single transaction.
  • Multiple separate transactions of less than $99 per transaction cannot be combined to meet the minimum purchase amount.

Purchases of $98.99 or less:

Buy now and pay over time with PayPal Credit when you spend $98.99 or less.

  • If you pay your balance in full each month by the payment due date that is on your statement, you can avoid paying interest.
  • Or, make minimum monthly payments, or any additional amount of your choosing, until you've paid off your balance according to your standard account terms. Please note, interest charges may apply.
  • We'll send you email reminders when your payments are due. You can also keep track of your account and view your statements online at any time.

About PayPal Credit

  • PayPal Credit is a reusable credit line available on purchases at thousands of stores that accept PayPal. It's also available for purchases on eBay and exclusively at thousands of other online stores. Plus, it comes with the same security and flexibility you trust from PayPal.
  • If approved, we start you off with a minimum credit line of at least $250. See FAQs for more info.
  • For New Accounts: Variable Purchase APR is 25.49%. The APR is accurate as of 6/1/2018 and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate (as defined in your credit card agreement). Minimum interest charge is $2.00. See Terms and Conditions tab for more info.
  • If you miss a payment your late fee could be up to $38, even less if it's your first time. See FAQs for more info.

Please wait...