Parents of children with special needs are often told how strong they are, how incredibly lucky the child is to have a parent like them, because special children are only given to special parents right?
I am not a special parent. I’m just a parent.
I’m not different to any other mum or dad, my son wasn’t given to me because I have the magic ability to make the world a better place for him and his needs.
My son isn’t “lucky” that I’m his mum either, there’s no luck involved.
I love him with all my heart and I would do absolutely anything for him but that doesn’t make him lucky, it just makes him my child.
Yes, I do go above and beyond for him, we go everywhere and anywhere he wants to and if he wants to do something that I know will hurt my back and make my arms ache because he can’t support himself, that will absolutely not stop me doing it!
But does that make me special?
I don’t think so. I am a good parent, and it might sound like I’m being big headed in saying that but that doesn’t really matter.
I make mistakes, probably on a daily basis! But I love my children with all my heart. And that’s what makes me a good parent.
I don’t think special children are given to special parents because it just happens, there is no real reason for it.
Thousands of children are born with additional needs, or develop additional needs when they get a bit older for many different reasons.
So, if you’re reading this and your child has a disability, don’t worry that you aren’t special, don’t worry that you might not be good enough and certainly don’t worry about if you can do it.
Because you can, if you love your child then I fully believe that you will be able to tackle any obstacle that comes your way.
And it’s ok to ask for help, remember – we aren’t superhero’s with super strength!
Just parents, with an unconditional love for our children.