Journeys of strength: special needs families – I see you

By Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo, Writer, speaker and founder of Miracle Mama

My Facebook feed is full of families sharing their journey’s of their children with additional needs.

I see joy, I see courage, I see bravery, I see inclusion.

I see the celebrations when their child has achieved something most of us take for granted.

I see miracles over and over again.

I see parents, siblings and the community embrace this unique special needs life.

Yet I also see the other side, I see the heartbreaking updates of children who suffer from the medical issues associated with their condition.

I see a mother overwhelmed as she has to bare witness to the struggles of her own beautiful child. I see footage of a child crying through an hour long seizure, or recovering in hospital with pain, or hooked up to machines to help them breathe, eat or sleep, or working so hard through a therapy session.

I see a mother’s anguish as she reaches out to the online community, desperately seeking for help with all the associated unknowns.

I see children who should be running free in the sunshine, instead they are confined to a wheelchair, to medication leads and more.

I see their warrior-like spirit as they endure so much on their little bodies.

I see their courageous brave and lion hearts.

I see parents who despite their grief and worry, continue to show up with love beyond fear.

I see resilience and grace.

I see incredible amounts of patience and perseverance.

I see extraordinary measures of love and trust.

Yet through all the grief, rage and injustice along side love, grace and acceptance..

I see you.

I see you – the child, the mother, the father, the special needs sibling.

I see people who without knowing it, are changing the world.

I see a kind of love that has overcome extraordinary circumstances that continues to flow abundantly.

So to all the special needs children, parents and families, I honour and see you.

A version of this post originally appeared on Miracle Mama.

If this article resonated with you then please subscribe to Natalie’s personal blog, Miracle Mama. She would also love to connect on Facebook and Instagram.

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