I had someone tell me the other day my kids were lucky to have me because not everyone could handle children with needs. (It was a total compliment and I was not upset) But you know what?? I was taken aback. I don't think of myself as a parent of a child with special needs. Don't get me wrong, I realize Cormac is deaf and wears implants. I am perfectly aware Ciaran has hearing loss. I am more than understand Calleigh is delayed in her gross motor skills. I realize I have two children with IEP's starting Kindergarten . I have had Early Intervention in my life for 5 years now. To me they are just my kids. I guess it's all about perception. My children just think of themselves like any other kid in the world. I think of them as just your typical kids.
So, now I have been thinking. Is that how people perceive me? Are people looking at me all day with pity because they see I have one kid with Cochlear Implants and another with hearing aids? I hope not. I honestly don't get that feeling from people. Sure, lots of people have it easier but lots of people have a much harder life.
My question to you is do you think your perception of yourself is different than how other perceive you?
3 comments:
I work in an ICU with really sick kids and often when I tell parents that I have a deaf son I get the pity look and the "I'm sorry" I think are you kidding me? He's happy healthy and at home. Its crazy the stigma hearing loss has.
BTW adorable pic of the kids by the lake!
yes, it's different. We do things for our kids without thinking, like make sure they have what they need at home, school, etc. Most everyone does. Some kids have allergies, some kids need little a little more practice before they walk on their own, some are wearing hearing devices and some just need their eggs a certain way.In our home, we tend NOT treat the ones with special needs any different, it's a way of life for us.People catch us doing things we do in second nature. But God gives us what we can handle, other people have a whole word of things we don't feel like we could deal with either. So yes, I see myself differently than others see me.
You know my position on this Jenn. lol People are always looking at me with pity when they see my three. Funny thing...in my house I am the odd person out.
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