LITTLE PRINCESS
The Story of a Special-Need Child
The Ill Fated
Accident | Facing the
Problems | Sarah's Present
Life
Part III - Sarah's Present Life
 Her
disabilities have not deprived Sarah of special talents. She is a
very talented young artist and keen on improvising her art with
every passing day. By dedicated observation of how other people
draw, especially her older brother, who excels in Art, she strives
continuously to learn new techniques of painting and brings them
to practice with a determination of a rare kind. And though life
has not been very fair to her, she is fair enough to judge her own
work sincerely. Never does she accept any undue praise for a
picture that is not worthy of it. With her strict sense of fair
play, this 'Little Princess' has a lesson or two to teach the
world!
By now, many of you must be wondering how Sarah feels about
herself. God has his own ways of giving the world, strength to
endure. Had Sarah realized that she was different from other
children, it would have been a different story from here. But,
Sarah is unaware of the fact that she is different from other
children. And this is what keeps her from becoming self-conscious.
And can you guess her reaction to the pains her parents take in
visiting doctors and specialists and taking her from one classroom
to another? Of all things...she is amused! That's right. She has
her share of fun by observing Michelle and Alex doing a lot of
'busy work' by 'shuffling' her from one place to another. Her own
life is the only one she has known and she has no complaints,
except from the occasional protests when told 'not' to do
something.
In fact, apart from her learning disability, Sarah is not
different from other girls of her age. Her temperament is
incredibly smooth and easy-going, and she loves to laugh and sing.
Her favorite color is pink, just like other girls her age, she
thinks “Justin Timberlake” is cute, and she loves to play with
Barbie dolls. From medical negligence to being molested by her own
father, Sarah has suffered a lot. But to make up for it, God has
gifted her with a mother of extraordinary strength and
perseverance. Nestled in the comforts of a loving family which
comprises of a doting mother, a father who is more of a friend,
and a caring older brother, Sarah now enjoys her life - a life
which previously seemed to be burdened with all sorts of
partialities towards her. And as easily as my heart goes out to
the pretty child, it bows down to her mother Michelle, who fought
against all odds to make sure that her daughter led a happy and
normal life.
And this remarkable lady is earnest in her mission to help out
other parents in a similar situation. Her advice to parents of
'special need' children: "Don’t ever let someone’s
“final” diagnosis be FINAL. You’re the parent. You spend
every waking moment with your child, and you KNOW when something
isn’t right. Go with your instincts, and don’t EVER back down.
Your child’s future and quality of life depends on YOU. It’s
you job to nurture them, love them, entertain them, discipline
them, teach them, and protect them. They can’t do it by
themselves."
Michelle also provides you with a list of
agencies/organizations who were instrumental in helping her give
Sarah the proper treatment and education.
- WVPTI (West Virginia Parent Training and Information) –
They provide assistance, information, support &
training to parents of children with special needs and people
who work with these children. Tel: (304) 624-1436
Website: www.wvpti.org
- NICHCY (National Information Center for Children and
Youth with disabilities) – They guide you through all
of the available resources for parenting a child with special
needs. They supply you with tons of information to help you
with seeking the correct education placement, adapting
situations to your child’s individuality, as well as the
laws pertaining to the rights of children with special needs.
Located in Washington, DC. Tel: (800) 999-5599 Website: www.nichcy.org
- WV Advocates – the designated protection and
advocacy system for the state of West Virginia. These people
were a tremendous help in “talking me through” all of the
steps I needed to take in order to see some action
regarding my daughter’s education and her rights. They even
offered to go with me to attend any meetings that I
didn’t feel comfortable handling alone. Tel: (800) 950-5250
Web: http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies
and
www.reedmartin.com.
Michelle also adds: " I realize these are mostly listings
for the state of West Virginia, and a lot of people probably need
local information for their state, so you can call any of the
numbers above, and they will gladly assist in putting you in
direct contact with the local divisions that can help you."
Along with the valuable resources and advice that Michelle
provides us with, she is also willing to offer personal assistance
to any parents who need her guidance.
| Here's a personal message from
Michelle:s
If any parent out there feels like they don’t know
where to look to get the help their child needs, PLEASE
contact me and I will do everything I possibly can to
get you connected with an agency that can and will help
you. I’ve made a lot of valuable contacts over the
course of finding the right place for my daughter. More
names and numbers than I could possibly list here, so
feel free to E-mail me at: michelle@allaboutweddings.us
. Just give me a general idea of your location, and your
child’s problem, and I will get right back to you with
some names and phone numbers for your area. I also have
a lot of helpful articles on hand for almost any issues
that come up when you’re raising children with special
needs. From financial concerns, legal concerns, issues
at school, how to file a complaint, where to go to
receive the proper medical treatment, parent support
groups (these are really great!), and So Much More!
Please don’t feel alone. There IS help out there.
|
Michelle has also shared this beautiful, inspiring poem with
the readers:
If You Can Remember
If you remember that it takes three
Of my steps to equal one of yours;
If you understand that I must view life
At an eye level three feet below yours;
If you can let me try when I am ready instead
Of pushing me ahead or holding me back;
If you can touch my life with your faith without
Taking away my need for self-determination;
Then I can grow, learn, and become.
If you can remember that it takes time for me to gain
The experience in living that you have already had;
If you can understand that I can only relate to those things
Which have meaning on my level of maturity;
If you can let me take a step of independence when I can,
Instead of thrusting me out or pulling me back;
If you can touch my life with your hope
Without destroying my sense of reality;
Then I can grow, learn, and become.
If you can remember that it takes courage
For me to try again after failure, just like you;
If you understand that I must find
Out who I am for myself;
If you can let me find my own path when
I want instead of choosing for me
The way you think I should go;
If you can touch my life with your love
Without taking away the space I need to breathe;
Then I can grow, learn, and become.
~~Marti King, The Montessori Foundation
Courtesy:
Michelle Bailey:( Sarah’s Mom )
Proud Parent of a Learning Disabled Child
Spanishburg, West Virginia
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