New Blog for Parents of Children with Special Needs Featured
Written by
Ann Roby, San Francisco
Tuesday, 04 June 2013 01:59
Check Out a new blog for parents of children with Special Needs - Here is the first blog from Ann Roby
Visit http://ahroby.wordpress.com/ to read more.
Why
John 9:1-3 ”1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
“Why?” In my mind I had given up so much for God and could not understand why He let this happen to me. Maybe my heart was so evil that God had to do something drastic to save my soul. Maybe it was the consequence of past sin. Maybe God wanted to change me and this was the only way I would listen. I didn’t know the answer and wasn’t sure I would get an answer. So I decided to toughen up and do what I needed to do to get through the tough times – be faithful and trust God has a plan. Easier said than done; or maybe I should say easier faked than done!
Having a child with special needs is not really something you can “get through.” It’s not an illness that is going to get better. It’s not a circumstance that is going to change by moving or changing jobs or having a child grow and mature. It’s a lifelong journey – at least as a parent, you hope it will be a long life for yourself and your child.
I have had many people say to me that I must be a special person if God chose me to have a child with special needs. I have to admit, I’ve hated those comments. I would think, “If I’m so special, why is it God is treating me this way? Why do others, who aren’t ‘special’ have it so much easier?” – and even sarcastically, “Lucky me for being so special!”
Many times I do feel pretty lucky, actually. But often it still hurts. Yes, even after 21 years, it can still hurt. I don’t want to sound like having my son is not a blessing and that he isn’t awesome because it is and he is. But sometimes it stinks and I wish life were different. I am hoping through this blog that I can be brutally honest and help out a few souls. I love my son. I wouldn’t trade him for the world, nor to be honest, I’m not sure I would wish he didn’t have Down syndrome. He wouldn’t be who he is if he didn’t have Down syndrome. But I want to be real and share my sorrows and my joys and share just a bit of how God and His scriptures have helped me – and still help me – get through. I hope they help some of you.
When our son was born, someone read the above scripture to me over the phone. I know they meant well but how discouraging it was to be in the position to have that scripture read to me! I didn’t like it at all. I appreciate it more now. They were trying to give us hope but I couldn’t hear anything past the first question the disciples asked. I thought maybe I was at fault and I wanted to know if that is what God thought as well. At that time I missed the entire response that Jesus gave. I realize now God wants to do something with all our lives to display His great works through us just a bit. God will bring about some good and that gives me hope.
Ann Roby
San Fransico, USA
Published in
Special Needs