ELLIE'S BLOG on Living Well with Disability

"Into a woman's keeping is committed the destiny of the generations to come after us."  -Theodore Roosevelt

Happy Mother's Day all special mom's.

To those who are raising young children with   disabilities. And those whose older children develop disabilities.

"The love of a mother is never exhausted. It never changes, it never tires; it endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute. In the face of the world's condemnation, A mother's love still lives on." - Washington Irving

To those who have disabilities themselves and are raising young children with disabilities or are raising young children without disabilities.

And those who have disabilities and their grown children develop disabilities.

"My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me, and I felt that I had someone to live for, someone I must not disappoint.  - Thomas Edison

And I don't want to forget grandmother's who have disabilities themselves or whose children or grandchildren's children have disabilities too.

"When you are a mother you are never really alone in your thoughts.  You are connected to your child and to all those who touch your lives.  A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." -Sophia Loren

And my favorite??..

The Special Mother
by Erma Bombeck
Did you ever wonder how mothers of disabled children were chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"This one gets a daughter. The Patron saint will be Cecelia"
"This one gets twins. The Patron saint will be Matthew"
"This one gets a son.   The Patron saint.....give her Gerard.   He's used to profanity"
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles.  "Give her a disabled child".
The angel is curious.  "Why this one God? She's so happy"
"Exactly," smiles God.  "Could I give a disabled child to a mother who does not know laughter?  That would be cruel!"
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of sorrow and despair.   Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it.   I watched her today, she has that feeling of self and independence that is so necessary in a mother.   You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world.   She has to make him live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you"
God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that.   This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness"
The angel gasps - "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods.  "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally she won't survive. Yes here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider any 'step' ordinary.   When her child says "Momma" for the first time she will be present at a miracle and will know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty and prejudice...and allow her to rise above them.   She will never be alone.  I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side"
"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air.  
God smiles "A mirror will suffice"

Have a wonderful and happy mothers day! Let yourself be pampered and filled to the brim with love.                                               ellie