I am

[Guest guest]

Here is another

of my favorite inspirational texts. I’m not sure who wrote it but I

truly love it. I originally received it from NACD regarding a child with

seizures. I altered it to reflect my own child and read it on a regular

basis for encouragement:

I am ..............for mothers of Special

Needs Children.

I am the little engine

that did. When on my journey in life, my tracks led

me to a mountain

-a diagnosis of Down syndrome, brain injury, apraxia, dysphagia, respiratory/immune

issues and bi-lateral conductive hearing loss-

I looked at it with defeat - thinking there was no way I could climb over it. I then pondered the obstacle before me,

and I then said to myself over and over,

" I think I can, I think I can..., " then I slowly started climbing the mountain saying to myself

over and over, " I know I can, I know I

can,.... " and then I made it over that ominous diagnosis and continued my journey. I am the little engine

that did.

I am more devoted than Noah's wife. I sometimes feel overwhelmed in my " houseboat " -- 365 days and 365 nights

a year, constantly working with and teaching

my child. But when the storms of isolation and monotony

become most unbearable, I do not jump ship. Instead I wait for the rainbow that is promised to come.

I am Xena. Real life warrior goddess of the differently abled. With my steel

plated armor I can battle anyone who gets in

the way of progress for my child. I can

overcome the stares and ignorance of those without a disability in their lives -

and educate them as to why my child is the way he is, and why he does the

things he does. With my sword of persistence, I can battle the schools to have them properly educate my child.

Yes, I am Xena - and I am prepared for any

battle that might come my way......

I am beautiful. I have hairy legs because I get no time alone in the bathroom, and bags under my eyes from staying up

all night with my child.

The only exercise I get is the sprint from my house to my car - to take my child to therapy. Dressed up to me is, well -

just that I had a moment to get dressed!

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder

- and so even on the days when I don't feel very beautiful – I will

know that I am........because God is my beholder.

I am the Bionic Woman. With my bionic vision - I can see through the disability my child has, and see the beauty in

his soul, the intelligence in his eyes ---

when others can't. I have bionic hearing - I

can look at my child when he smiles at me,

and hear his voice say, " I Love You Mommy, " ---even though he can't

talk. Yes, I am thankful to be Bionic.

I am . A not so well known mother of a Special Needs child who was brought here to touch the souls of those around

her, in a way that will forever change them.

And it started with me. By teaching me things I would

never have known, by bringing me friendships I never would have had, and by opening my eyes as to what really

matters in life. Things like the Joy of just

living in the moment, the Peace of knowing that God

is in control, never losing Hope, and knowing an unconditional Love that words cannot express. Yes, I too am blessed by a

special child,just like .

I am Superwoman. I am able to leap over tall loads of laundry in a single bound, and run faster than a speeding

bullet, to rescue my child from danger. Oh

yes, without a doubt, I am Superwoman.

I am Moses. I was chosen to be the mother of a Special Needs Child. I may at times question whether I am the right

" man " for the job ---but God will

give me the Faith I need to lead my child to be the best he can be. And like Moses, God will give me the small

Miracles here and there,needed to accomplish my mission.

I am Stretch Armstrong - a Mom that can be stretched beyond belief – and still

somehow return to normal. I can stretch limited funds to cover every treatment and therapy that insurance won't.

I can stretch my patience as I bounce from

doctor to doctor in a quest to treat my child. I

can stretch what

time I have, and share it with my husband, my children, my church, and still have some leftover to help my friends. Yes,

my name is Stretch. And I have the

stretch-marks to prove it!

I am Parks. I refuse to move or waver in what I believe is right for my child -- simply because my view is the

minority, not the majority. I refuse to

believe " What can one mother do? " But instead, I will write, call, and rally to the government if

I have to, and do whatever it takes to

prevent discrimination against my child and ensure that

he gets the services he needs.

I am Hercules. The Greek God known for strength and courage. The heavy loads I must carry would make others crumble to

the ground. The weight of Sorrow, Fear at

uncertainty of the future, Injustice at having no answers,

and the Tears of despair, would alone possibly be too much, --- even for Hercules. But then the Joy, Laughter,

Smiles, and Pride, at my child's

accomplishments, balance the load to make it easy to bear.

I am touched by an Angel. An Angel who lives in a world of his own. And it's true. He lives in a world of innocence and

purity. A world without hatred or deceit. A

world where everyone is beautiful and where no-one is

ugly. A world where there is always enough time. A world where he goes to bed with no worries of tomorrow and wakes

up with no regrets of the past.

Yes, I most certainly am touched by an Angel, and in some ways, his world is

better....

I am a true " Survivor " -- the Mom of a child, who has faced, is

facing,and will face, some of the most difficult challenges life has to offer. I am ready for

the challenge and have God given endurance to last until the end, along with a sense of humor to cope with all

the twists, turns, and surprises along the

way. Oh yes, I am a TRUE " Survivor " -- and I don't need to win a million dollars to prove it!

I am a Mom of a special needs child, all the above, and so much more.

Someday I will want to be none of the above -- and just be a typical Mom with a typical

child, doing typical things. On those days I will know it's O.K. to be angry, and to cry, and to lean on my

family, friends, and church, for support. Because after all, ---the most important

thing I am, ..... is human.

****

And on this day, and any other day I need to, I will read this as a Reminder, of just who it is, ~ I am......

..