Category: Feeling the love

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Why I Carry My Son

As a parent of a child with special needs. I was expecting the stares, the avoidances and the reassuring.
Today, I was told “I would not be carrying him”. “He can walk.” “Oh my back.” They exclaimed.
Sure, the person meant well, but is it something that should be said? Sure, I explained my son has special needs (I kind of have to). But I could tell the person was still kind of eh.
I carry my son at the age of 4 to keep him safe. Sure, it hurts my back eventually. But my number one priority is to keep him safe. If I put him down he will run away faster then I can catch him.
If I try to make him hold my hand he will force himself away or drop to his legs to get away.
My son is a runner. So I carry him to keep him safe. Sure, at times he rides in a cart or stroller. But in this situation it was easier to just carry him.
~ AMB  
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Do you ever wonder what your child would be like if he/she didn’t have an intellectual disability?

Buddy is now 26, so I sometimes wonder what he would be like if he were a typical 26yr old.

I know he would be funny.

He would love pizza AND broccoli.

He would not like wrinkled clothes or striped shirts.

He would be slightly self impressed.  Not passing a mirror without taking a gander at himself.

He would be very laid back and non-confrontational.

I imagine that he would work with his hands…fixing airplanes or cars (like his uncle and grandfather)  most likely.

He would love dogs and cats, and would have 2 dogs, one named Scooby and one Clifford.

He would drive a 4×4 but have desire to also own a shiny sports car and a John Deere.

He would watch old sitcoms and documentaries.  And have a great knowledge of music and a vast library of CDs.

He wouldn’t be a leader or a follower…but a “by your side all the way” friend.

He would be a sweet, loving, affectionate person.

How do I know?  Because these are all traits and likes that he already has.

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I Cried Today.

Buddy loves his music.  He has a DVD player and TV in his room, and he plays DVDs and CDs,  from the time he wakes up, until bedtime.

He can find the song he wants, and will play it all day.   He knows, what CD/DVD has the song he is looking for, and how many times he has to push the buttons to get to it.

This morning I was getting ready to pay bills, and Buddy comes out of his room and grabs my arm.   He pulls me back to his room as fast as he can, and I think the usual…he pushed the wrong button and turned the TV off.  And he is asking me to fix it for him.

We get to his room and he pushes some buttons…Tanya Tucker starts singing about a road map of Texas.

I start making jokes, and asking for kisses.  Then I asked for a hug. and he leans over and pushes a few more buttons…he stops and Ms Tucker starts introducing a song.    As she does, Buddy grabs my hands and pulls me to him.

He wraps my arms around him and pulls me into a bear hug, so I start to slow dance with him  as the music begins.

Buddy, understands everything,  so I can only believe that he was trying to tell me something in a way that only a non-verbal person can.

As he held me tight, with his head on my shoulder and mine on his… Tanya Tucker sang “You Are So Beautiful To Me”.

When I looked up and said “Is that what you want to tell me?”  He smiled the biggest smile, and I cried.

I can’t tell you how awesome it is to FEEL loved, when you can’t hear it!

~ASM