Chicago Tribune Voice of the People today

December 31, 2010

This was in the Letters to the Editor today. The Trib asked folks to write

about the adult--besides their parents--who influenced them most and the letters

would be run during the holidays. This lady wrote about her granddaughter.

Sweet--should make us all feel good that someone is thinking about our kids and

what a wonderful grandma she was!.....Hey, I had time to actually READ the

papers today!

Marie

Grandma's special gift

I was a grandmother of a special-needs child for almost 11 years. This was my

first Christmas without her and I still wanted to give her something for

Christmas. After endless thought of what I might make or buy and take to her

graveside, I decided there was one thing I could do that I know would make her

happy: give insight to as many as I can about being a special-needs child.

Special-needs children are born with different anomalies and their needs vary

from child to child.

Many special-needs children's eyes can say a million words. Just look into them.

You will see acceptance and unconditional love. They are just waiting to feel

that from you. As you pass them by at the mall, grocery store, doctor's office,

school or wherever, take a second to give a friendly wave, smile or hello. They

see you and they notice — you might be surprised to get a special wave, smile or

hello back. Your kind gesture made their day better (acceptance).

Let me give you one example from her life. It was Halloween and she was dressed

up as an angel. Her " special chair " was made to look like a white fluffy cloud.

She looked darling.

We took her to a yearly party for special-needs children and then to the mall

for yet more trick-or-treating.

That day, perfect strangers had to come up to see her in this fabulous costume.

Everyone was smiling and talking to her.

She felt special but in a very cool way (acceptance).

Later after we had loaded my granddaughter into her van, my strong-willed

daughter said, " I feel like crying Mom. This is the first time I have taken

Dakota to the mall and people did not oddly stare at her, whisper or point. "

There is a whole community of special-needs children in your area.

Make their days brighter!

— Robin , Maple City, Mich.

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