Health care is a basic human right, not a privilege. For some reason, we’ve allowed ourselves as Americans to be fooled into accepting that one must be blessed with “means” to actuate appropriate health care. As a nation we have failed to realize that our health care system is a barometer of our society’s value for human life.

-Me

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

A Better Point of View

I found this here.

The following article really touched my heart. And it is right. It made me look at myself and how I view my Sandis and my Gracie.

Autism! Pdd nos! Aspergers syndrome! ADHD! High functioning! Low functioning! Delayed! Hearing these words about your child can be crushing. They can devastate you to your very core. The good news is THEY DON’T HAVE TO! Let me tell you why….

It doesn’t matter. That’s right. It simply doesn’t matter. If you want to really help your child then read on. I’m serious. Don’t be like the thousands who wish they had “lived” this concept sooner.

Pretend for a moment you have a newborn. He is simply perfect. By the time he is two years old, his fingers are so long, they look strange. You go to a renowned physician and ask “What’s wrong with my child? Why are his fingers so long?”. The physician smiles and says “Your child has a condition called spindle fingers. He has a natural gift for playing musical instruments. Many dream of having this talent”.

You’re absolutely thrilled and can’t wait to share the news. You rush home but on the way you stop to buy a toy xylophone, piano, drum set and flute. You set them out on the floor when you get home and you watch proudly as your toddler strums each one of them. You don’t care that everyone else thinks it just sounds like noise. You have a budding musician on your hands and he’s practicing!

As the months go by you encourage your child to play instruments. He gets a little older and expresses his preference for the piano. You take him to piano lessons, listen to famous piano players and perhaps even go to concerts. You explain to your son that his fingers are long because he is talented at playing the piano. Your son plays the piano beautifully. He is proud of his fingers and his talent. You are proud of your son.

You run into the physician a few years later. You tell him proudly about your child’s piano skills. He smiles broadly and says “I made it all up. There is no condition called spindle fingers”. “What?” you shriek “that’s impossible. My child is an excellent player”.

“Of course he is” says the physician “It’s called belief. You believed in your child’s fingers. You believed in his talent. You encouraged him. It didn’t matter how many mistakes he made. You hardly heard them because you knew he was on the path to greatness. Your son felt your belief. He saw it in your eyes. He felt it course through his being. It inspired him. Every time he looked at his long fingers he thought about his talent. He felt proud of himself. He knew he could do it. Your unwavering faith inspired him to be the best he can be”.

My advice to you is this. Forget about the boxes and the labels. Ignore the judgments. Your child is fascinating. Your child is a unique and wonderful being who is incredibly special. Give him the tools. Encourage him on his journey. Never lose faith in him. Stand by his side. Teach him as much as you can. Watch in delight as he soars far beyond everyone’s expectations. Everyone’s except yours and all those who joined your belief along the way!

- By Jene Aviram

8 comments:

Maddy said...

Excellent! Should be compulsory reading. Thank you.
Cheers

Scott K. Johnson said...

Awesome story!

Lyrehca said...

Terrific post.

Amberthyme said...

Where did you find this? It's good stuff! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Amberthyme said...

Duh, sorry. I followed the link.

KC's Blog said...

Oh wow this is most excellent post! I agree, everyone should read this! I love your blog posts!

mumkeepingsane said...

The hair on the back of my neck is standing on end. Thank you.

Rainbow said...

I was going through my web logs and I found that you had referenced my article. I am honored and inspired. Thank you. I would also like to commend you. I know you deal with a lot each day and I can tell that you are a great Mom. Thank you for standing with me in my belief. Both my children have special needs. One has Aspergers and one has a heart condition. Their diagnoses has made them what they are today - absolutely PHENOMENAL and I am proud.
Jene Aviram
http://www.nlconcepts.com