Our Special Family

"God doesn't give children with special needs to strong people; He gives children with special needs to ordinary, weak people and then gives them strength. Raising a child with special needs doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family."

The above saying made its way around Facebook this week and it got me to thinking, especially the last sentence.  A common statement by parents (myself included) of children with special needs is how blessed we are to have our special children. I am blessed to have Jack in my life because he is my child.  I am blessed because Jack lives.  However, I am not blessed because Jack has special needs. I would have been equally as blessed had Jack been born healthy.

Every child brings to a family his or her own unique beauty, gifts, lessons, hardships and joys. A child with special needs simply amplifies and accelerates the impact. Perhaps the unique “blessing” a child with special needs brings to a family is perspective. Perspective to appreciate a healthy child, a beautiful sunset, small victories and a full night’s sleep. Perspective to appreciate that all parents are blessed and all children make a special family. 

Admittedly, I’m particularly sensitive to the emphasis on the specialness of children with special needs because I have children who are sensitive to the emphasis on the specialness of their siblings with special needs.  I’ve been reprimanded on more than one occasion by my non-special needs children for not acknowledging often enough the specialness they too bring to our family.

Yes, I am blessed. 

I am blessed to have four children, who, in their own unique and special way, make our very special family.