People With Disabilities

*Authors are unknown, unless otherwise noted.

Sometimes you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.
~ Jerry Garcia

We can't form our children on our own concepts; we must take them and love them as God gives them to us.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.
~ Jackie Robinson

When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.
~ Albert Einstein

We're on a mission from God.
~ The Blues Brothers, Elroy

A child miseducated is a child lost.
~ J.F. Kennedy

There is only one Maker in the world and His children cover the Earth and they are named All God's Children.
~ Carl Sandberg - Timesweep

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.
~ Helen Keller

Imagination is more important than intelligence.
~ Albert Einstein

Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day.
~ Bob Feller

We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make.
~ Marian Wright Edelman

If you ever think we are too small to make a difference, try spending the night cooped up with a mosquito.
~ Swahili proverb

Treat people as though they are what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of being.
~ Goethe

Inclusion is Not a Place, It is a Feeling.
~ Troy Daniels

Start by doing what's necessary, then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
~ Saint Francis of Assisi

The greatest masterpieces were once only pigments on a palette.
~ Henry S. Haskins

Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
~ Marilyn vos Savant

Civilization.... is the acceptance and the encouragement of differences
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Faith
When you have come to the edge of all that you know
and are about to step off into the darkness,
FAITH is knowing one of two things will happen:
There will be something solid to stand on,
or you will be taught to fly.
~from the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

Forget-me-not...
Our problems are many and varied.
Our struggles are always uphill.
I'm speaking for hundreds of children.
So listen a while if you will.
I want understanding - not pity.
I wish you could treat me the same
You wouldn't ignore other children.
At least you would ask them their name.
I know I can't answer to tell you.
My face may seem empty and dead,
My body is twisted - but I am alive.
And there are thoughts in my head.
I will not be shut out from the world.
I'm a child and it is my right,
I'm not an object of pity -
to be hidden away out of sight.
My parents see me through eyes of love.
And not as others do.
They see the things I can achieve.
And I wish that you would too.
As I ask you to forget-me-not,
I beg you to hear my plea
If I could speak - I would ask you
To please look closer - and see me...

Friends of the Handicapped
Blessed are those who take the time
To listen to difficult speech,
For you help me to know that
if I persevere,
I can be understood.
Blessed are you who never bid me to hurry up
or take my tasks from me
For my failures will be outweighed
By the times I surprise myself and you
Blessed are you who asked for my help
For my greatest need is to be needed.
Blessed are you who understand that it is
difficult for me to put thoughts into words.
Blessed are you who with a smile encourage
me to try once more.
Blessed are you who never remind me that today
I asked the same question twice,
Blessed are you who respect me and love me
just as I am.

Heaven's Very Special Child
A meeting was held quite far from Earth
"It's time again for another birth,"
said the angels to the Lord above.
"This special child will need much love.
His progress may seem very slow.
And he'll require extra care
from the folks he meets way down there.
He may not run or laugh or play.
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won't adapt
and he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent,
we want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find parents who
will do a special job for you.
They will now realize right away
the leading role they're asked to play.
But with this child sent from above
comes stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
in caring for this gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild
is Heaven's very special child."
~ Edna Massimilla

It Matters to This One
As I walked along the seashore, this young boy greeted me.
He was tossing stranded starfish back to the deep blue sea.
I said, "Tell me why you bother, why you waste your time this way. There's a million stranded starfish, does it matter anyway?"
And he said, "It matters to this one. It deserves a chance to grow. It matters to this one, I can't save them all I know.
But it matters to this one, I'll return it to the sea.
It matters to this one, and it matters to me."
I walked into the classroom, The teacher greeted me.
She was helping Johnny study, he was struggling I could see.
I said, "Tell me why you bother, why waste your time this way. Johnny's only one of millions, does it matter anyway?"
And she said, "It matters to this one, he deserves a chance to grow.
It matters to this one, I can't save them all I know.
But it matters to this one, I'll help him be what he can be.
It matters to this one, and it matters to me."

Keymakers
Some people see a closed door,
and turn away.
Others see a closed door,
try the knob
if it doesn't open...
they turn away.
Still others see a closed door,
try the knob,
if it doesn't open,
they find a key,
if the key doesn't fit...
they turn away.
A rare few see a closed door,
try the knob,
if it doesn't open,
they find a key,
if the key doesn't fit...
They make one.

My Perfect Child
As my children were born,
I wanted them to be perfect.
When they were babies,
wanted them to smile
and be content playing with their toys.
I wanted them to be happy
and to laugh continually instead of crying
and being demanding,
wanted them to see the beautiful side of life.
As they grew older,
I wanted them to be giving instead of selfish.
I wanted them to skip the terrible twos.
I wanted them to stay innocent forever.
As they became teen-agers,
I wanted them to be obedient
and not rebellious, mannerly and not mouthy.
I wanted them to be full of love,
gentle and kind-hearted.
"Oh, God, give me a child like this"
was often my prayer.
One day he did.
Some call him handicapped...
I call him Perfect!!

Our Children
Everyone loves a child
A child who laughs and plays.
A pretty face, a sparkling smile,
A child with winning ways.
But, is our love confined to those
who are perfect, well and strong?
Does it include all boys and girls
Who in another class belong?
A crippled arm or twisted leg-
Of course that matters not.
These children are still held so dear,
We cherish them a lot.
But then sometimes we see a child
Who has a crippled mind.
Out of the shadows he looks on
Love and trust to find.
He may be cast aside by some
Forgotten, hidden, lost!
This special child whose lonely path
A great affliction crossed.
He needs our wisdom and our strength.
He needs our help and care.
To God all children are the same
And they are ours to share.
So let us lend a special note
Of warmth for children who
Will never reach the mental age
That other children do.

~ Edna Massimilla

Our Twelve Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
a child with a disability.

On the second day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
a heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the third day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
an ache in my heart and a heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the fourth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
a tear in my eyes, an ache in my heart and a heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the fifth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the sixth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the seventh day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the eighth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the ninth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
remarkable doctors, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the tenth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
an appreciation of small accomplishments, remarkable doctors, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
a sense of pride, an appreciation of small accomplishments, remarkable doctors, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me:
Reach out and share your sense of pride, your appreciation of small accomplishments, your remarkable doctors, your supportive friends, your sense of humor, your ray of hope, your unsuspected strength for the tear in your eyes and the ache in your heart and your heart full of love for your child with a disability.

These Moms Share Special Gifts
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger. 'Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecelia. Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity.' Finally he passes a name to an angel and smiles, 'Give her a handicapped child.'

The angel is curious, 'Why this one, God? She's so happy.'

'Exactly,' says God. 'Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.'

'But has she patience?' asks the angel.

'I don't want her to have too much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in her world, and that's not going to be easy.'

'But, Lord, I don't think that she even believes in you.'

God smiles, 'No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.'

The angel gasps, 'Selfishness? Is that a virtue?'

God nods, 'If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says Momma for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.'

'I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side.'

'And what about her patron saint?' asks the angel, pen poised in midair.

God smiles, 'A mirror will suffice.' 
~ Erma Bombeck

Welcome to Holland
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared this unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the Michelangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, 'Welcome to Holland.'

'Holland?' you say, 'what do you mean Holland? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy.'

But there has been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So, you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you never would have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around and you bring to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips and Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say, 'Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned.'

The pain of that will never, ever go away because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.

But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland! 
~ Emily Pearl Kingsley

Wishes in the Dark
Sometimes when she's sleeping
I can see in my mind's eye
the little girl I thought I had,
the one who said good-bye.
Sometimes when she's sleeping
hands folded by her cheek
I close my eyes and see before me
a child who can speak.
Sometimes when she's sleeping
she seems so whole and well
I can't believe she won't awaken
with dreams of which to tell.
Sometimes when she's sleeping
and the tears in my eyes overflow,
I steal what kisses I can in the dark
and wonder what joys she will know.
Sometimes when she's sleeping
and my eyes ache with tears unshed,
I pray she'll always be full of peace
as she slumbers in her bed.
Sometimes when she's sleeping
I can almost hear her say
"I love you, Mom, with my heart
and my soul, each and every day".
But always when she's sleeping
I am full of pride
at the miracle that is my daughter
and the perfection that is inside.
~ Lisa Esmond