We All Have Special Needs: Ordinary

Have you ever thought about the term ordinary? True definition describes ordinary as: no special or distinctive feature, normal, commonplace or standard. What is wrong with ordinary though? As humans I think we often strive to be more, to have the best and to be the best. While I think having high standards and being motivated is an amazing quality, I actually love the thought of being ordinary!

When I dreamed of my life and children the things I wanted most were health, happiness, love ... and lots of fun. Sure I like having a nice car, and a cute house, but family and friends are the most important thing. When Lincoln was born, I never dreamed that he wouldn't be completely healthy. The term ordinary / normal since then has taken on new meaning. The first conversation with neurologist number 1 was hard to hear, I cried and cried at the thought that he may never walk, talk, run, learn ... you name it they prepare you for the worst in the already darkest moments a mom can face and they prepared me that life would be far from ordinary!

I realize I celebrate little moments these days that some families take for granted. My son who is now 2 years old is walking, jumping, running, kicking soccer balls, and loves to laugh. We work daily on two handed exercises and when he holds something with two hands, opens the fridge, holds his coloring book, etc ... I find myself cheering and we clap and celebrate. A lot of toddlers by now have many words they say and we spend the day going over letters and sounds and when he conquers a new one again we cheer and celebrate! The smallest things are the biggest success in our life, because it seems "normal". I actually hate the term normal when it comes to children, I have researched more in two years about Lincoln's diagnosis and met other families with similar experiences and the one thing most of us have in common are that our children are far from normal ... but they are amazing and most are defying the odds that medicine has put in place. However normal is how we describe most things in life ... and I wouldn't be human if I didn't find myself comparing my son to normal standards as well. The reality is I only want the best for him and for him to fit in with his friends and live life to the fullest.

I loved reading "Make the Ordinary Come Alive" because I relate to that. What is wrong with ordinary? ... my answer to that is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I am grateful for ordinary things these days that I may have never even thanked God for before. Don't forget that it is empathy and kindness from ordinary people that make others see extraordinary in the world. I hope someday my son forgets the hard work of therapy, the hours of practice at home, the bracing and constraint therapies ... and sees himself as an ordinary little boy who has extraordinary potential.