A Mother’s Response

I submitted this response to our local news network.   I thought I would share with you, my friends.

I wrote:  “Now, how to respond to all these opinions (and I use that term lightly) without getting angry. 

First to Popup:  Ignorance will get you nowhere. These children/adults do have a right to life, a life as good as one can have; why not give them the help that is needed…I bet you don’t have a handicapped child. 

Secondly to GetaLife:  You seem so generous.  If someone reached out to you for private funding, is your wallet open?  Even in these hard times?

Thirdly to Taxablechump:  You are right in the fact that private support would be wonderful but let me tell you first hand, NOTHING is easy when you are dealing with a disabled person and trying to plan a life that will give them some type of fulfillment. 

I can’t speak for all caretakers but in our home, we have done all we can to finance every EXTRA that has been needed (far less than most families in the same situation). By the time our son turns 18, we legally have to obtain guardianship…did you know that?  Most kids when they turn 18 are either in college or working and when they’re able, they are off on their own, making a life for themselves.  This is not the case for those with disabilities. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if all the services they needed were FREE, by law and they were not allowed to be charged for their physical and medical needs because they don’t have the means to pay?  Oh, but then the doctors, nurses, specialists, teachers, bus drivers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, service coordinators (the list goes on but I’ll stop) would be banging on Albany’s door hootin’ and hollerin’. 

I love my son with all my heart, I did not ask that he be born with a disability but I am thankful that he’s here.  He has more love in his heart than all of us put together and tolerance for the misinformed, ignorant society we live in.  Oh, to have a simple mind.

A Mother's Response

I submitted this response to our local news network.   I thought I would share with you, my friends.

I wrote:  “Now, how to respond to all these opinions (and I use that term lightly) without getting angry. 

First to Popup:  Ignorance will get you nowhere. These children/adults do have a right to life, a life as good as one can have; why not give them the help that is needed…I bet you don’t have a handicapped child. 

Secondly to GetaLife:  You seem so generous.  If someone reached out to you for private funding, is your wallet open?  Even in these hard times?

Thirdly to Taxablechump:  You are right in the fact that private support would be wonderful but let me tell you first hand, NOTHING is easy when you are dealing with a disabled person and trying to plan a life that will give them some type of fulfillment. 

I can’t speak for all caretakers but in our home, we have done all we can to finance every EXTRA that has been needed (far less than most families in the same situation). By the time our son turns 18, we legally have to obtain guardianship…did you know that?  Most kids when they turn 18 are either in college or working and when they’re able, they are off on their own, making a life for themselves.  This is not the case for those with disabilities. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if all the services they needed were FREE, by law and they were not allowed to be charged for their physical and medical needs because they don’t have the means to pay?  Oh, but then the doctors, nurses, specialists, teachers, bus drivers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, service coordinators (the list goes on but I’ll stop) would be banging on Albany’s door hootin’ and hollerin’. 

I love my son with all my heart, I did not ask that he be born with a disability but I am thankful that he’s here.  He has more love in his heart than all of us put together and tolerance for the misinformed, ignorant society we live in.  Oh, to have a simple mind.