A Smile for Friday

Oh, we've had a week at the Rush house.

We finally have Lily's new schedule in place.  You know what I'm talking about - the schedule that started with just behavioral therapy five days a week, but now incorporates speech and occupational therapy two days a week each and music therapy one day a week.

And guess what?  We went to the podiatrist Thursday afternoon (a conversation for another day) and he's recommending some physical therapy.  How we're going to fit that in is anyone's guess.  Do you think PT's do after hours home visits??

I suppose that new schedule I finally put in place perfectly this week will change yet again....

Plus, it's been Homecoming Week at the big girls' school which translates to theme dress up days all week long, closing the week out with a big pep rally, football game, and dance.  So I've spent a considerable amount of time at the mall this week, too.  Finding dresses that are a decent length for my two tall girls is a tall order, let me tell you.

And Wednesday afternoon, I got an unexpected phone call from Lily's school telling me that she had bumped her head near her eye on the corner of a desk and they didn't think it needed stitches but I might want to come take a look just to be sure.  It was determined that stitches wouldn't be necessary but we do have this lovely war wound to serve as a reminder that desks and noggins don't mix:

(I have to insert a little note here and say that despite Lily Bird's injury, I think this is a lovely picture, if I do say so myself.  And I took it all by myself with my trusty iPhone camera along with a nice filter from Instagram. OK - enough with the self-promotion.)

So when I was given the following article at our parents of special needs kids support group Wednesday night, I found it especially funny as I needed a good laugh by that time.

I hope you'll find it funny, too.

And if you don't, try reading it again once you've been shopping for Homecoming dresses for about three hours with two teen girls who are both around 5'10" and each looking for dresses in particular colors and trying to stay within a reasonable budget so we don't have to eat beans and rice the entire month of October.

I can almost guarantee you'll think it's funny after that.

So, without further ado, I give you - The Top Ten Reasons to Give Thanks for Your Child with Special Needs.  (written by Terri Mauro, Guide to Parenting Special Needs at About.com)

1. You never have to worry about worrying over nothing.  Let other parents obsess over the frivolous and shallow. Your child will make sure you always have something worthy to worry about.
2. Developmental delays = more years of hugs, kisses, and little kid sweetness. My 13 year old still wants to sit in my lap, give me hugs, and tell me he loves me. What mom of a sullen teen doesn't secretly wish for the same?
3. Maybe someday, Ty Pennington will come build you a house. Hey, Extreme Makever: Home Edition loves families of children with special needs. Your little one may be your ticket to a lavish living space.
4. Any little milestone is a cause to throw a party. Your child works hard for every step, sit-up and syllable, giving you lots to be excited about.
5. Every day is a learning experience. Some days it's a pop quiz, some days it's a crash course, but life with your child is always an education, for sure.
6. You have the privilege of putting several doctors' children through college. After paying for all those appointments, you may feel like a one-family scholarship foundation. Put your child's name on some letterhead and take pride.
7. You meet a better class of parent in waiting rooms and support groups. Your child frees you from having to hang out with those snotty parents on the playground, and gives you entry into an exclusive club of people who are sensitive, sarcastic, and sure of their priorities.
8. You have an iron-clad escape excuse for any occasion. You'd love to stay at that boring party, crowded event, endless church service, but, you know, your child just can't tolerate it. (And if sometimes it's you who can't tolerate it - who's to know?)
9. Coming up with new strategies every day keeps your brain sharp. They say doing crossword puzzles helps ward off Alzheimer's. Figuring out your child's schedules and treatments and lessons and rights and restrictions must easily provide twice the protection.
10. Your blessings will always be fully counted. Other parents may take the gifts that their children bring for granted. Not you. Not ever.

Amen, Ms. Mauro.

Amen.