I'm Not a "Special Needs" MomI started AB + Me over a year ago to help shed light on kids with disabilities and advocate for my daughter and kids like her. Becoming a special needs family has changed our lives, not better or worse- just different. It has opened my eyes to issues that our society faces that I didn't know existed. I am committed to making sure that my daughter is included in everything that she deserves- playgrounds, school, friends, community activities. I want to help make kids with disabilities “normal” in the eyes of society, where they’re not stared at for needing wheelchairs or feeding tubes because the other kids don't think twice about it. I love informing anyone I can about cerebral palsy, epilepsy and incontinentia pigmenti. To help everyone relate to Annie and realize that she is just a little girl like other kids. She wants to be accepted and played with. These disabilities and disorders have become part of our life and are our new normal, I don't see myself as a “special needs” mom- just a mom. I wake up everyday and go into Tanners room- where he pretends to sleep through my efforts to get him up and ready for school- and get Annebelle out of bed. I get them both dressed and ready for the day, pack Tanner’s lunch and venture out in to the world to walk him to the bus. My days are full of changing diapers, changing Annie’s outfits three times a day because she’s constantly getting into stuff and making a mess, dropping Tanner off at the bus and picking him back up in the afternoons, making Annie meals that she refuses to eat and having Tanner ask for Macaroni and Cheese after I spend two hours making a healthy, balanced dinner. I struggle with disciplining both my kids so they know I love them but grow up to be amazing adults, teaching Tanner that i know being five is hard but as life gets harder it also gets better. Annebelle is an adorable little girl who has had to deal with more than a two year old should, but she still drives me crazy sometimes. I second guess myself and worry that i am not doing enough for my kids. I let my kids stay in pajamas all day on Saturday’s while we cuddle and watch movies, I read them stories and we go on imaginary adventures. Motherhood is everything I imagined and more, Annebelle’s disabilities have become a part of who we are, but they don’t define our family. We are more than a “special needs” family, we’re a loving, amazing, loud, imperfect, crazy family. We’re a family. as seen on The Mighty
8 Comments
Marcie
2/12/2018 03:19:00 pm
Yes, sounds like you go through the everyday struggles Moms everywhere face. Keep up the good work!
Reply
2/12/2018 03:22:14 pm
It sounds pretty much like you are living a path of loving motherhood. I celebrate you for dropping the labels and siding on love, allowing it full sway as you traverse the path that is yours to take. Blessings!! <3
Reply
Emily
2/12/2018 06:16:19 pm
This is a great way to put it. I’m the parent of two children on the spectrum and this is how we see it too.
Reply
Livi
2/13/2018 11:24:45 am
You are such an amazing Mama!
Reply
2/14/2018 12:44:13 am
You are an awesome mother. Thank you for sharing your story and advocating for your daughter and others like her.
Reply
katie
2/21/2018 04:41:23 pm
thank you so much!
Reply
katie
2/21/2018 04:42:30 pm
❤❤❤
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
My name is Katie and this is my mini me Annie, follow our cerebral palsy adventure.
#Normalizedisabilities #inclusionisthenewcool Archives
August 2018
|