Acceptance is something you have to get used to using when you’re a special needs parent.
Sometimes it’s acceptance of good things and sometimes it’s acceptance for things you can’t control and you just accept that it happens to your family.
I can still remember when Ethan got his first wheelchair. He’d been in just a normal pushchair until then but it wasn’t supportive enough and he needed help with his posture. I went to that appointment thinking maybe he will just get a pushchair that’s more supportive.
I can clearly recall that I didn’t want him to have a chair that made him stand out. People already looked at the child who didn’t walk or talk. When they showed me the rigid wheelchair that he would have, that was big and bulky, it was exactly what I didn’t want him to have.
After an extensive assessment I realised just how disabled my child was.
He desperately needed the support this wheelchair could provide. I cried. It wasn’t what I wanted. It was a real wheelchair. It would stand out and everyone would stare.
After a hug from the physiotherapist I then ACCEPTED that things were different but it’s OK. This was the start of me accepting how disabled Ethan was and how much help and support he would need for the rest of his life.
Ethan is now going back to that first wheelchair style that he ever had. This time I feel OK! Infact I pushed for it. It’s weird that as time goes on you accept that it doesn’t matter what people think. It doesn’t matter who stares, people will stare whether there’s a wheelchair or not.
All that matters is that Ethan is comfortable and he’s having the best wheelchair for his body and posture. I’ve also let Ethan have full reign on the colour he wants! I always give Ethan a choice and he always chooses pink or purple!
I always talk him into choosing a different colour. One he won’t stand out with. This time I thought, no why shouldn’t he have a purple wheelchair, so he is! Without fail he chose a purple chair! He was so happy!
So here’s to acceptance of my gorgeous boy. People can stare all they like and I will be showing off just how gorgeous my 10 year old is!