Steps for Noel

As I sat at Special Olympics bowling for my daughter who is in middle school I looked around at the other moms who had children with special needs. I realized I’m no longer in a group of moms with babies with special needs; I’m no longer in the group who just received a diagnosis and is trying to deal with the heartache that comes with a diagnosis. ⁣
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I am now in a group of moms who have been through the fire quite literally for years now. This group of moms is no longer trying to figure out play dates and preschool but now we’re looking ahead to high school and life for our children outside of our house. I recognize that these moms are worn, but they’re also beautiful. These women have experienced and seen things they didn’t think they would live through. And yet we’re still here still standing. ⁣
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@ Greeley, Colorado

Turn around! This picture needs to change. This is what we currently call inclusion. This is not inclusion the is integration. Because my daughter goes to school and is with her peers we think this is inclusion. Society has come as far in including kids with handicaps, special needs, autism; we will mainstream them at school and even let them sit next to us at lunch. We have been taught to not stare at them, don’t ask questions and it’s perfectly acceptable to not engage with them. This concept to me is so devastating; We as a society are ignoring these amazing people.
And the biggest reason why is because we haven’t been taught how to turn around and engage with people
Who have handicaps or special needs. The basic premise we operate under is just don’t make eye contact and that means you’re polite. I wholeheartedly disagree And I want to challenge that thought. I say engage with them, talk to them, ask them questions!! Be nice and ask their name makes friends with them. My daughter deserves to be included not just integrated!