Inclusion. It’s a word that is stressed by parents of special needs often. It’s simple. Inclusion is the act of including. Inclusion means feeling part of something larger than yourself and feeling like you belong. It’s a feeling, we all take for granted, but if we never had that sense of belonging, it would make a seriously detrimental impact on our lives.
I was counting down the days. It was written in huge letters on our calendar. I bought popsicles and new craft items. I cleaned Brian’s room and dug out toys I thought would interest the both of them. I told anyone and everyone that would listen that Brian had a play date.
I’m done being proud and all that’s left is pure gratitude. My family is incredibly blessed to be surrounded in our physical world as well as our virtual world with amazing people who go out of their way to help Brian. I just feel as if no matter how much I say, “Thank you”, it will never truly convey what all of this means to us.
“What is wrong with him?”
It’s not the first time I’ve been asked this question by an innocent child at the playground. It doesn’t get any easier to hear though. Each time I choke on my own spit, my heart enlarges and pounds, and at the base of my amygdala I can feel the Mama Bear just wanting to come out and ask the little brat what’s wrong with him..
But it passes.
