Readers Respond: What Are You Thankful For About Your Child With Special Needs?

Responses: 67

By Terri Mauro, About.com Guide

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I give thanks to the infinite determination inside Ben that gives him the courage and audacity to try to walk on his own.
—Guest vanessainfanzon@gmail.com

I am grateful that even though my son Jake cannot tell me he loves me...he shows me everyday when he looks at me and smiles...or when he sits on my lap and places his head on my heart...I am grateful for Jake this Thanksgiving and for all he has taught me about love.
—Guest Lori Wheeler

Unlike many of my friends with sons in their late teens and early 20's, I still get hugs! I am so thankful for that. I am also thankful that my son has my sense of humor (sarcastic and a not quite like most people's), that he has a smile that can light up the room and that he is compassionate and thoughtful (when he wants to be). Overall he is a great guy.
—Cathy760

I am thankful for the amazing smile and laughter Ben has when he slides down a 30 foot slide made from a farm silo.
—Guest Vanessa Infanzon

I am thankful that my children have taught me to live more "in the moment". I have 3 children with disabilities, and one child in particular who lives "in the day". Being a planner, I am always thinking ahead, and being with my son makes me enjoy what is going on RIGHT NOW. His concreteness has also made me a better communicator, because so much is lost with sarcasm and double speak. I can't say that our lives are simple, but my kids have reminded me of the simple pleasures of day to day life.
—Guest debfjeld

I am thankful for my son. I am thankful for everything that he teaches me every day. To marvel in the little things in life and not worry over things I cannot control. With who he is, he has made me a better me and puts life's little events in perspective. When I see my sons fight like siblings do, one son isn't disabled, they are brothers fighting like brothers. I am thankful for that. I marvel in his ability to make every moment count, to be in awe of the world and life and to treasure every moment. Each interaction is a miracle and we revel in it. He has helped everyone he touches learn that lesson.
—Guest Misty

My sweet boy was born two months early with spina bifida, within his first month of life he had his first surgery, a shunt... followed by many years of surgeries, for legs , feet, g-tube ,scoliosis... he is also ASD and has low blood sugar due to lack of growth horomone...and with all these things that he is... what he isnt is like any other child.. he so quiet, passive and doesnt want anything at all except for my love.. no new toys.. expensive gagets for him,, just a book and his mommy.While other kids cry and scream and are hyper .. mines so sweet, and calm. doesnt like noise or toys and things.. and I really apprecaite all the things he isnt..
—Guest Adrienne McLellan

I feel grateful that God has chosen us to be the parents of our two autistic children. I feel as though there is this great opportunity to nurture them and watch them fulfill their potential. I have learned to appreciate that there is more than one definition of "success". With all the focus on academic success and material wealth, my children remind me every day about the value of kindness -- both from them and from others. They are successful because they have good hearts and they lift up those around them. I feel blessed and honored to be their mom and I am a better person through my experience with them.
—Guest Linda

Being a mom of an autistic son puts life in perspective, often in unexpected ways. I am grateful my son knows no bigotry or racism. He has no learned "hang-ups" and he and his best friend kiss each other goodbye everyday. He teaches me what has true importance and what is a waste of time and energy. More often than not, it is NOT what is expected or revered in this world.
—Guest James' Mom

As we have aged and our son with Down Syndrome has matured (he's 32 now), we have three adults living together, mostly peacefully. Walker unloads the dishwasher as soon as it stops, always puts his own dishes in, loads and unloads and puts away my groceries, feeds the animals, scoops the poop and never misses taking out the garbage on Wednesday nights. And...best of all...he not only doesn't forget, he NEVER complains. He is a true blessing.
—Guest Janie

If not for my son's challenges, I would just be another mom gossiping about others on the playground. His life has taught me to have faith that moves mountains, and hope for the future for kids like him.
—Guest Donna Gin

I am so grateful to be able to appreciate a quiet moment -- I absorb it fully. I am so grateful for my 10-year-old son, John, who's made this so. His needs are a great challenge to deal with each day but with each day, I'm given the opportunity to learn much greater lessons -- and they bring me infinite peace, love and joy. I am grateful.
—Guest Lori

My Matthew has the sweetest, happiest laugh I've ever heard, and I hear it a lot. He's so loving and gentle ... at 10, he'd rather play with Winnie the Pooh and Veggie Tales than any violent action figures. All of his teachers adore him ALMOST as much as we do. He's a beautiful boy, and while I worry about his future, his laughing and playfulness keep me grounded in the moment.
—Guest LizzieJean

We have learned far more from our son's special-needs journey than we ever could have imagined, and we are thankful for every day we have him in our lives. When he was in neonatal intensive care, I cried in the shower one morning begging God to just give us a chance to love and care for him. Fourteen years later, we have had the privilege of doing just that. I am inspired to live a better life because we know and love him. He is our hero!
—Needly

My son Lucas has Down syndrome. His birth brought our family into a whole new world where learning is not about getting As or Bs but learning from the heart. We live in Argentina, where integration to normal schools is almost impossible in small towns. We have been able to change that in Merlo, where we live. Lucas has been the seed of change, of change of heart, of priorities, of integration.
—Guest Veronica Tassara

Terri Mauro
Children With Special Needs Guide