Q: It must be hard having a handicapped child.
How do you do it?
A: This question used to stump me.
I got sort of frustrated by it, honestly.
I'd blubber out something like, "You do what you have to do."
or
"What else am I supposed to do?"
But I've learned.....
the answer is so plain & simple:
LOVE.
LOVE.
LOVE.
I LOVE him!
So dearly much.
And because I love Bugg,
I WANT to do anything & everything I can for him.
(I really love that question now!)
(I really love that question now!)
Great perspective, I don't like the question or the pitying looks that sometimes come. But I love the moments when strangers see past the wheelchair and into my son, like when we were racing to make it to the movies on time and Seb was laughing at me trying to keep up with him and his dad. Someone noticed how happy he was and it made his day too. Love. You are right, it's all about love, and nothing else matters.
ReplyDeleteHow could you not love the Buggs. his face lights up my day and I only see it online. You have a wonderful boy to celebrate life with.
ReplyDeleteLove love love.
ReplyDeleteI usually have the same response you used to when someone asks how I do it. Because really, what else am I going to do? That doesn't mean that I don't love her to death, because I do, and I usually tell them, but sometimes it is hard, and I try to convey both realities to people in my answer. What do you say when people say you must be such a wonderful person and you are so amazing because they could never do it? I hate when people say that to me because, really, I don't feel all that incredible! In fact, I feel like I fall short all the time. I think Katie is the one who is incredible for choosing to come to a mom as flawed as me! I love your little Bugg. We should really get together!
ReplyDeleteI was just about to go to bed with a bad taste in my mouth because of stuff I read and I was able to read this and feel a bit better. I love you and your perspective Bree!
ReplyDeleteyou phrased that so perfectly... i totally relate...
ReplyDeleteThis is the type of question where I try to help other people understand our perspective a bit and see that 1) we're no different than they are...we didn't ask for this, we weren't prepared for this, etc. and 2) if they imagine that their healthy child was suddenly hit by a car or something THEY WOULD DO IT TOO. Love is the motivation and it's not diminished for a child with special needs. When people say they could never do it, what they don't know is that they could...and most of them would.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it!! That is our simple job description for a not-so-simple job -- just fill their lives with LOVE!
ReplyDelete