Here it is… Yet another therapeutic reflection:
Life certainly has it’s modern conveniences! Practically everything we could need, or want, is at our fingertips. Our immediate access covers from worldwide information to Keurig coffee! It’s only when there’s a glitch in the system, do we even stop to realize how good we have it.
Up until now, we have enjoyed, and have probably taken for granted, the seamless flow of life’s ease of access. While Lauren was a baby, she appeared like any other baby. Cerebral palsy didn’t show itself much at all. Now, Lauren is becoming that independent little girl who wants to “do it myself”! This is when we realize that many of life’s conveniences are not quite as accessible to someone with a disability.
It’s 2016, and some public places have no ramps, push buttons for doors, adequate space to move a chair, proper bathroom facilities, etc
You see, even at home, the required equipment for daily living is different, yes different, from others. ‘Special’ chairs/seats and required therapy items cost double to triple that of the ‘regular’ needs.
What’s my point?? I guess it’s just that we are coming to terms more and more with the additional obstacles that Lauren will have to hurdle. As her parents, our role is to keep these issues as ‘just obstacles’ and NOT
‘limitations’!
Society, too, needs to pause and take note of exactly ‘who’ our modern conveniences cater to. Not everyone will be able to see past the obvious, but those of us who love someone who has a disability will become much more aware of what is often take for granted!
Our goal is to empower our children to find their way in the world. Life has conveniences, yes;but, life is posing challenges now that were once unimaginable! Equal opportunity for all means that some will require different means in order to make it to the same place. Lauren, and other children with disabilities, are no less equal because they are ‘different’. In fact, their ABILITY to find ways to ‘do it myself’ in spite of their DISABILITY, is a lesson to all!
Lisa