As the mother of any special needs child will tell you there comes a time in our lives when we are faced with a very real set of limitations. And let me tell you acknowledging that such limitations even exist is a difficult thing to deal with, at least for me.
For starters, I cannot be in denial. Whether or not Taylor life is adjusted to her specific limitations doesn't increase her chance at a normal life. So then does this mean that I should keep Taylor from doing things other normal children do? No, of course, not.
I continually try to accept Taylor and her syndrome and the limitations it brings. Say we're at a birthday party, right off the bat Taylor cannot consume the food most children eat or drink. Does it bother me? Yes, it does. But then I think to myself if I bring the snacks she can eat, does it make any difference? No, of course, not.
Now, what about when there are accidents or emergencies? As the words imply accidents and emergencies are just that unforeseen and unpredictable that we must deal with the best way we know how.
Let me use Taylor's seizure as an example. Last week Taylor had a seizure. She fell straight back and her head hit the concrete. The noise was the worse type of noise I ever heard before. My daughter's head had just hit solid concrete! And then it happened Taylor went limp, her eyes were disengaged, her arms just dropped to her side and she couldn't hold her head up. As I held Taylor close to me tears streamed down my cheeks and all I could do was tell her that everything would be okay. In the face of chaos I remained calm because mentally I was prepared for this, for all the limitation and the unknown.
That day as Max and I soothed Taylor and maintained our composure the easier it was for the three of us to deal with the issue at hand, good thing too because that night Taylor had another five seizures. I'm happy to report that Taylor's CATscan came back fine and the hospital ER immediately took her back for testing as soon as we arrived.
I think it's critical to be mentally and emotionally prepared because when we are we're stronger and more rational and able to accept what's going on. It does not mean that I'm not scared or sad, it just means that I'm in control of my actions and emotions, which really is the only thing I can control.
Accidents and emergencies will happen, and as the mother, father, friend, or caregiver of a special needs child or not decide to be ready and prepare for whatever may happen.
Thank you Maria Piork for helping edit. Please be sure to follow her at marialovestowrite.blogspot.com.
