Special Needs (don't we all have those?)

I've just spent the evening with my Owen. Joshua went off to church with Daddy and Rosa had an early night after a long day at church and visiting dear friends (Jeff and Anya) at their new home with their new (very cute)lil' girl.

Tonight has been one of those rare treats - time alone with one child! We munched some dinner together (Daddy made some yummy home made chippies before he left). We talked (or sort of) and just enjoyed each other's company. Then we snuggled on the couch and looked at picture books. Owen is thrilled about cows, ducks and mowers (harvesters)....

Then it was to the potty, pj's on and teeth brushed ... and of course a sip from the tap after that (Owen loves to have a drink cupped in my hands after brushing his teeth). It was off to bed for an early night but not before singing a couple of songs together. Owen's favourites are "rock" (not a rock song... but the wise man who built his house on the rock :),

"car" (a funny song mum made up about different colours of cars,

"sheep" (song from CD about animals praising God),

"banana" nothing spiritual here, just learned Bananas in Pajamas at Prep

....there are loads more. He just loves songs and rhymes!

Sometimes I wonder what it must be like to have a disability. I wonder how his mind thinks, what he perceives about life, how much he is aware of his being different (not much at this age I think), how he understands relationships.... I wonder ....

I do know that one little chromosome extra can make a lot of difference. It can mean a difference in how your muscles work, how well different organs function, how people interact with you, how you play, how you look, talk and whether you will have a hard time getting a job later in life... It can take away some inhibitions, mean more trips to the doctor, a longer time understanding and a harder time applying one bit of information to a different situation... It can make a big difference, one little chromosome...

Having said all that, this morning at church while we were getting settled at church - you know... all that gear that you tend to take with kids... nappy bag, books, etc. Owen made sure he went and sat near a gentleman sitting on his own.... then a few min. later he saw another lady in another row sitting on her own. He made his way over to say hello to her. Then he spotted our neighbour, somewhat new to the area... Owen went and plonked himself next to him. Having no inhibitions can sometimes be a good thing. He managed to make a few smiles before we sat him down for the service.

When grumpy about something - a very small thing can make him break into a big smile. Forgetting (why he was grumpy) ... not always a bad thing!

Sometimes that floppiness (low muscle tone) can make for a very lovely snuggly hug! Very little twitching, struggling to get down and run to somethings else. Just pure hug.

It has certainly been an interesting journey having a special needs child . How does his disability impact on our everyday lives? I guess, in many ways the same way any other child does - there are nappies to change, a huge trail of mess to clean up, moments to snuggle and learn, putting piles of things back that were pulled out, disciplining, training... etc. etc. I guess the difference lies in the fact that achievements along the way are huge achievements because it took that much longer to get there. Joshua was estatic when Owen learned to roll over and again when he learned to walk. Every new word he learns is something to rejoice over. A concept grasped is a bigger "WOW" and funny actions or comments he comes out with can leave us gob-smacked!

Just a few insights into special needs for those who haven't had the challenge and priviledge...

Thank you Lord for Owen ...for entrusting him to our floundering, incompetent hands.

For wisdom with all our children we pray...