Don't Take Advantage of My Child Because He is Blind

Cody walked into the house this afternoon, after being at his day program all day, and said, "I only had a sandwich and chips." Knowing full well what he was talking about, I unzipped his lunch box to see if the OREOS I packed for him this morning were still there. I saw nothing 
but an empty water bottle and his ice pack, so I said "Cody, what happened to the OREOS I packed for you?" and in the saddest voice, he told me, "Scott ate them." (Scott is another client at the day program.)

At this point, I was livid. Cody asks me to pack OREOS every day, but because I want him to eat as much of a variety as his autism allows, I only put OREOS in his lunch box one or two times a week. I know he really looks forward to eating them.

It makes no difference to me if the person stealing Cody's food has disabilities or not. Maybe is should, but it doesn't. It's not right to take advantage of Cody just because he can't see. The thing is, I know this was not the first time this particular client has taken food off of Cody's plate. What I wonder is where are the workers when this stuff is going on and how many other people are taking Cody's food because he can't see to defend himself? 

Misunderstood Conversation

It's summer and the temperature is in the triple digits where we live. I didn't feel like cooking dinner over a hot stove/oven last night, so I asked Cody ONE simple question. Who knew it would turn into this?...


Me- What do you want to eat Code? I can make you a Tuna Sandwich, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, or microwave some leftover Pasta and Chicken.


Cody- Mac and Cheese!


Me- Mac and Cheese wasn't an option.


Cody- It wasn't adoption?


Me- No. Not adoption Code. AN OPTION.


Cody- It wasn't the auction?


Me- Never mind. I give up.



Some days are just better than others.

11 Things I Know For Sure

11) Swedish massages are delightful.

10) Tomatoes taste better straight from the garden.

9) The playground phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is not true. Words can hurt.

8) Funerals suck.

7) Glitter and confetti are only fun if you're partying at somebody else's house.

6) If someone offers you a stick of gum, take it. It may be their way of saying your breath stinks.

5) Some people just shouldn't have children.

4) It is perfectly O.K. to say "No" sometimes.

3) The quote "When mom's not happy, nobody's happy." is spot on. 

2) Enjoy every phase of your life. There is truth to the Trace Atkins song Your Gonna Miss This.



and most importantly...


1) Having a child in the family with special needs is a blessing, not a curse.

Words Worth Repeating/ "Who's Weird- Besides Me?"

This is what my son with Autism says every time you give him his iPod. It was this same type of repetitive behavior that helped my husband and I figure out that he needed to be tested for Autism. We learned about Autism on the 'Sally Jesse Rafael Show'. Our son was around 10 years old by then. Doctors, teachers, as well as school district "specialist" had never even suggested that Autism might be one of his disabilities. Had we known sooner, we may have been able to teach him differently. You see, although he functions fairly well, he has certain behaviors that we just can't break. For instance, he won't get out of bed in the morning and go to the bathroom until someone tells him to. My husband or I have to be sure to get him up so he doesn't have any accidents in bed. Do we ever get to sleep in? Rarely.

Here's my advice to young parents who have been blessed with a disabled child...learn to be aggressive. You have that "instinct" that other people in your child's life won't. Also, educate yourself about your child's disability. Although the road ahead may not come easy, it can be smoother with extra effort on your part. I have found that the rewards from having my son as part of our family definitely outweigh all the trials that come with him.

Originally posted June 19, 2010 http://www.snippetsnstuff.com/2010/06/whos-weird-besides-me.html

God Chooses Mom for Disabled Child

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children.

Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments forpropagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew.

"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecelia.

"Rudledge, Carrie; twins; patron saint.... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity.

"Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence. She'll have to teach the child to live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less then perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says "Momma" for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations." "I will permit her to see clearly the things I see---ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--- and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in midair.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."
 
Written by Erma Bombeck
September 4, 1993