Don’t assume that just because your children are born healthy they will stay that way...
Don’t assume that just because your children are born healthy they will stay that way. Life is too unpredictable and dangerous to make that assumption. My daughter became ill at age one with Meningitis which left her a total vegetable, blind, deaf and paralyzed. On her first birthday we celebrated with family and friends as she ate her cake and received her presents. The next day she was fighting for her life and we were told she would not live through the night. With 80% brain damage they said she would never be normal again. When we finally got to take her home after two months in the hospital. During which time she had two strokes, died two times and had to have surgery to place a VP-Shunt (a tube that drains fluid from the brain) in her head, not to mention her seizures disorder and tons of medication during her stay there.
Prior to this I never gave the "disabled people" any thought other than opening a door for them or being thankful that I didn’t have to endure what they had to. I would do what I could at the moment and when they were out of sight my thoughts went back to my world. Playing with my healthy daughter, with another child on the way. That was nice while it lasted.
After her illness my husband and I became parents of a handicapped child. We now lived in the world of wheelchairs, hospitals, tons of doctor visits, special needs services, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, daily seizure watch, medications around the clock, and so many other issues and needs. We were young, scared and overwhelmed.
We have overcome many obstacles throughout the years and regardless of how hard we tried there is always new needs and struggles. One thing that was always a constant thought was how can I help other parents going through the same thing? I joined groups, volunteered my time, gave support whenever someone would seek it, but now I am older, wiser and more mature. I am strong and have a passion for all disabled people and their well being. I am here to serve and see that their needs are met. Georgia is not doing well in the areas of serving the disabled. I was shocked when I researched the services here in Georgia . They are lacking in the responsibility to care for our disabled and to provide for their needs.
There are many independent organizations who are making great strides to serve the disabled. And I wish to say ‘THANK YOU’ for all that they do. How they have made it this far is amazing to me. Since I started setting up an organization to provide housing and home modifications for our communities here in Georgia , I have been shocked by the numbers of those in need and realized how difficult it is to start a program. Of course there is the wall (called money) that seems to pop up with each new step of the process. It’s a catch-twenty-two situation. You need funds to get to point A, which isn’t there because you are not able to raise funds until point A is accomplished.
All the pleas for help from organizations of disabled children and adults are not asking for help to line their pockets. They are desperately trying to make the lives of thousands in your state have what they need to survive and stay healthy. For those who may not know, within your community and surrounding areas, there are over 6,000 disabled people in need of services, special homes,
equipment, medical care, and so many other things that we take for granted.
While we carry-on with our lives and make sure our children have all the latest games and join the local sports club. Other parents are struggling to afford the medications needed to keep their child from having seizure or being hospitalized or any number of other concerns. We blow money on self-entertainment and fun and never once stop to realize how blessed we are. Our kids wear designer clothes and have so many toys they can’t even get into their closets. Most have never been near a handicapped person. Or will never be taught that being disabled is not a disease. Give your child the opportunity to get to know disabled children and adults and you will have blessed your child with the special gift of compassion and love for others regardless of their condition.
Do what you can to help the disabled children and adults. They are very special people who touch the hearts of many. They teach us more about life’s true meaning and how special we all are. We can embrace and change lives for the better for thousands, if we would all help and give in some way. If you would like to learn more about organizations who could use your support or your help, You can email me and I will send you a list of those in the Metro Atlanta area.
WE HAVE THE MEANS TO CHANGE AND IMPROVE LIVES...WE JUST NEED TO DO IT!