Rejoice in Your Extraordinary Parenting

 

“Ordinary people doing extraordinary things....”

You’ve probably heard this phrase many times before, applied to many things, but when it comes to raising a child with a disability, it really hits home.

From the moment you hear a doctor’s voice say the words describing your child’s condition or diagnosis that no parent wants to hear, the adrenaline starts to flow and you go into “survival mode.” Survival mode becomes an automatic response for parents-you’re surrounded by medical professionals that are speaking a language you’ve never heard before, learning to use monitors and equipment, dosing medicine and getting used to medical personnel coming in and out of your home. Not to mention, you’re searching the Internet and library for any and all information on the causes, symptoms and treatment options for your child’s condition.

In the meantime, your body may be doing things it has never done before-you may not be able to sleep or eat, or you are eating constantly and would like to stay in bed all day. Every waking thought is consumed by the need to learn as much as possible, as fast as possible in order to help your child. So you just do it, even though you are experiencing the most stressful situation you have encountered thus far in your life. That is survival mode. (Can you relate?)

Maybe as a parent of a child with special needs, you have never thought of survival mode as any courageous feat because from the moment your child was born, you just followed your instincts to do absolutely anything to protect this precious human being.

Every day on TV reality shows, talk shows and news programs we see people being described as “brave” and “courageous” for doing all sorts of unheard-of things like eating bugs or surviving on a deserted island. But you are not in survival mode for a million dollar reward; your prize is much better--helping your child reach his/her highest potential.

So I’m asking you to take a step back and look at your everyday life and all the sacrifices you make. You have subconsciously taken the art of multi-tasking to a whole new level; from dealing with insurance companies, meeting with teachers, taking your child to doctor and therapy appointments, learning crash course-style about orthotics and assistive devices and researching innovative treatments that may help your child. You do all of this while being as flexible as possible, and you take care of the rest of your family on top of it all! That is bravery...that is courage.

Whether you’ve been in survival mode for just a few days or for a few years, and even if you don’t feel you need recognition just for being the best parent you can be, I’m here to say you do. I’m telling you because I’ve been where you are and I know you need it—you are doing a great job! The ordinary person you were is now extraordinary, thanks to your very special child. Be proud of yourself!

Only through Christ can we achieve this strength. When we feel like we can’t continue in survival mode any longer, we must meditate on Philippians 4:13: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (NLT)