Day: March 29, 2017

Let’s just say, my feathers are being ruffled ?
Reality, defined as, “the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them”, sure has a way of keeping us in check. Irregardless of one’s electrical attitude ‘charge’, be it positive or negative, there is a set reality that exists. To the very best of my ability, I try to remain positive in the midst of much fear and uncertainty. I HAVE to approach each day in hope in order to get by.
Being a mom lends itself to many moments of pride, laughter and comic situations. Children say and do things that just make our hearts chuckle; and then the day comes when we have to share them with the world. This is challenging with any child, but as a parent of a child with a disability, I am becoming more and more aware of the challenges that certain rites of passage will bring.
You see, not everything in the real world is equally accessible to those differently abled. Whether it’s building structures, resource personnel, equipment etc., there is a gap between what is needed and what is the reality.
I would love to believe that Lauren lives in a world that offers equal opportunity to her, as to her more able bodied friends. However, more and more, I become aware of the exclusions that exist in supposedly ‘inclusive’ settings. The reality is in order for Lauren to have equal opportunity, mama and papa will have to rattle some wheels, rock some boats, fight some battles…
And as long as there is breath in either mama or papa, this battle will be fought. Back to the positive and negative attitude; I am positive that we have a lifelong fight facing us, and I’m positive there is a whole lot of support. However, there remains much negativity surrounding the reality of a disabled person setting out to live life in an able bodied world, and that’s the unfortunate reality!