A Special Needs Family Connection and a Poem I Didn’t Write

Jax and I are enrolled in an Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) class called Family Connections. It is a class through our school district that offers families with young kids with special needs a safe place to play and learn.

I didn’t think we belonged there. I’m not even sure if Jax’s medical issues can even be called special needs. I almost didn’t sign up.

Turns out, we belong there. Everyone’s story is different, but everyone “gets it.” I look forward to class each week, where I can share my feelings and guilt and fear and have people nod and say “yes – that sucks – things did not turn out like you expected.”

It’s nice to have a place where I don’t have to be brave or strong or “supermom.”

One of the moms in class shared this poem last week and I really liked it…

Special Needs Moms ~ A Look Inside

You may think us “special moms” have it pretty rough.
We have no choice. We just manage life when things get really tough.
We’ve made it through the days we thought we’d never make it through.
We’ve even impressed our own selves with all that we can do.

We’ve gained patience beyond measure, love we never dreamed of giving.
We worry about the future but know this “special” life’s worth living.
We have had days and hurt sometimes, but we hold our heads up high.
We feel joy and pride and thankfulness more often than we cry.

For our kids we aren’t just supermoms. No, we do so much more.
We are cheerleaders, nurses and therapists who don’t walk out the door.
We handle rude remarks and unkind stares with dignity and grace.
Even though the pain they bring cannot be erased.

Therapies and treatment routes are a lot for us to digest.
We don’t know what the future holds but give our kids our best.
None of us can be replaced, so we don’t get many breaks.
It wears us out, but to help our kids, we’ll do whatever it takes.

We are selfless, not by choice, you see. Our kids just have more needs.
We’re not out to change the world, but want to plant some seeds.
We want our kids accepted. That really is our aim.
When we look at them we just see kids. We hope you’ll do the same.

~ April Vernon

It’s pretty awesome when you discover a connection where you least expect it.

Author: Andrea M

Oh man, what an adventure! I went into labor unexpectedly when I was 23w3d pregnant. Jaxson was born weighing 1 lb 8 oz. A tiny little peanut, but boy was he feisty. He still is! We love it now, but we probably won't when he is a teenager. I write about our journey and all other things that come with it, including a brain tumor. We look forward to "meeting" you - come hang out with us...we're pretty cool. View all posts by Andrea M