Special Kids

I feel a similar connection with all parents of kids with special needs, any kind of special needs whatsoever. Because even if the symptoms we are dealing with are different, there are some very common things we face as parents of kids with special needs.

*  We know what it's like to have to get past the grief—and, yes, the disappointment—that our kids aren't quite the kids we imagined, and learn that our kids are awesome in their own right.

*We know what it's like to have that throbbing worry in our heads and dull aches in our hearts about our children.

* We know what it's like to have to juggle the doctors, specialists, therapists and medications on top of all the other stuff we do—and become medical experts ourselves. (And insurance-company warriors.)

* We know how awful some doctors can make us feel.

* We know how suck-y school progress reports can make us feel, too.

* We know what it's like to run low on patience, and then feel guilty about that.

* We know what it's like to feel very alone, despite our family and friends.

* We know what it's like to still wonder why this happened.

And yet....

* We know how satisfying it is see a child exceed a doctor's expectations.

* We know what it's like to feel deliriously happy when our kids are happy.

* We know that their smiles can heal.

* We know what it's like to be willing to do whatever it takes to get a child the treatment, services and care he needs.

* We know what it's like to love a child with special needs with a special kind of love, one that's both tender yet fiercely protective.