Reasons To Be Thankful As A Special Needs Parent

It’s so easy to become bogged down by the day to day routine.  Focusing on the struggles of raising a child with special needs is easy to do, especially when there is no end in sight.  It’s so important for us to also remember the blessings we have as a result of raising special needs children.  With Thanksgiving season upon us.  I wanted to share some of the things we need to remember to be thankful for as special needs parents.

I’m Thankful for….

1. Therapists – Ladybug has 3 therapists.  Between Speech, Physical, and Occupational therapy we have 5 appointments a week.  These women probably know more about my life than most people.  I’ve come to call them friends.  They understand Ladybug, and come the closest to understanding the struggles of special needs parenting.  They work hard to help Ladybug reach her potential and make sure we have the right accommodations at home.
2. Our Wheelchair Van – Ok, I really have a love/hate feelings toward this van.  I hate that it has comply wrecked our budget.  Everything else though, I love.  It means we can take Ladybug places.  Her power wheelchair weights about 360 pounds.  Having a vehicle with a ramp has been life changing, and back saving for our family. We would essentially be a family of shut ins without it.
3. Doctors – We are blessed to have access to some pretty amazing specialists.  From her primary care provider to neurosurgeon she has a whole team bringing their expertise to the table to determine the best treatment options.
4. Nurses – When Ladybug is hospitalized for a surgery, nurses step in to help attend her needs.  Nurses are truly amazing.  Often times hospitalizations are the closest thing to a break that we get simply because nurses step in for us.  Even if that break means sleeping on the couch that turns into a bed listening to medical equipment all night, I enjoy it.
5. Technology – Medical advances have come a long way.  I am thankful for the equipment that provides so many tests for our special needs kids.  Things like MRI, CT scans, EEGs, x-rays….. All of these are things we want to avoid, but I’m thankful they’re there to provide answers.
6. Surgeries – I know, we often cringe at the idea of yet another procedure.  But I am thankful this is even an option.  They have the chance to undergo procedures to correct problems with their bodies.  Often times this can help with the daily pain they experience.
7. Grandparents – Ladybug’s grandparents are an invaluable support system to us.  They help by babysitting when they can giving my husband and I a much needed break.
8. The Women’s Small Group – I joined a small group for women at our church this fall.  The prayers, support, encouragement I have received from this group of women the past few months has been refreshing.  I was in a state of burn out and probably even boarder line depression (again) when I joined.  God has used this group of women (and my husband) to help pull me out.
9. My Husband – He is amazing.  God has truly blessed me with the strong support system I need when he brought Todd into my life.  His support for me and our family is beyond words.  He has been working overtime every day for months (because of #2) and still comes home to help me with the demanding needs of our family.  There’s no way I would be functioning right now without him!
10. God – This is by far what I am most thankful for.  God has been there for me and our family over and over again.  He has provided for us in ways I can’t explain.  Even though this isn’t the plan I had for our family, I know it was God’s plan.  Keeping that in perspective allows me to have a thankful heart in spite of everything.

I hope you’re also able to find ways to be thankful this year.  Special needs parenting is difficult to say the least.  I pray you don’t loose sight of all you have to be thankful for.