I guess I was just plain curious if there are any other parents in the bowl who have children with diabilities? I have two beautiful boys, both of whom are visually disabled. It has been a tough haul, but we are making it through just fine. How about you?

My step son has spinal bifida, paralyzed from the waist down. The only problem I have with it is the fact that he now wieghs more then 50lbs. We cant play hide and seek with the dogs anymore, carrying him (for me) and running around the house just cant be done anymore. seriously, the only problem we have is to refit things for him, ie; a chair at the right length/height/width to sit in, making him work on his upper muscles and hands, finding things to occupy him while the rest of the kids go play out in the yard in the mud etc. Sounds small but in reality it is a huge thing to work with to make sure he is comfortable and happy as well as the rest of the family. But I wouldnt give any of it up, it has been a learning experience and an eye opener to more of the realistic probs disabled people have. Instead of understanding what disabled people go thro, we see and feel and experience a lot of what they go thro.

I hear you. One really wonders how parent's do it, how they cope when one or more of their kids are born with 'something wrong'. But once you are there, you never question it. It's not something to question. Without your child you would be lost. We learn to do things day to day a little different than other parents, but i wouldn't change a thing.

My son is blind in one eye, since birth, and boy those first years were difficult. No sports, couldn't see things coming at him. Had surgery for cosmetics, and you would never know, but that doesn't change that it IS.On the good side, he has never known vision with two eyes, so he thinks what he see is normal. 21 now, and all is good, thank G_D.

my youngest son was born too soon,he has cerebal palsy,and is mentally retarted...do to lack of oxygen,he cannot sit,hold his head up,speak,my hubby and i tried to care for him at home,while also raising 4 other children,it got to the point we had to give in,he now resides in St Amant center here in Winnipeg,the nurses there are Every one of my kids are a blessing,and i thank God for them.

how long ago Lucette?and what floor?maybe you know him?

Originally posted by Lucette That was about 13 years ago, on the third floor(I think). I helped wash them, comb their hair, feed them, take them for walks etc. Even if he was there at that time, I probably wouldn't remember him.

that was along time ago,it was around that time he moved there,and he is also on the third floor..his name is Dustin

I guess that no matter what the disability sometimes it just gets tough, and you can't go it alone. My youngest won't ever know how to play any kind of sports in a league. Sure we can teach him how to catch and throw with a beeping ball, but there is so much that he will miss out on. I have talked to several other parents about how hard it is, but they never really seem to open up and talk about how tough it was for them. I feel really bad that these boys of mine will miss out on so much but that is the hand I've been dealt, and I, just like everyone else in these shoes, will learn to cope just fine.

I have a child that lives with me that has a variety of disabilities, cerebal palsy, mental delays, some autistic tendancies, basically most of it came from fetal alcohol syndrome his mom was very young and foolish but she did look after him for 5 years and then came to us for help. I thank god every day for him, he has been part of our family for over a year now and I know that there was life before he came and I'm sure my house was much quieter but I cant remember. It is a challenge to rethink things so that he can be as able as possible like refitting things and figuring out how to get into some places but he keeps me sharp. He had Botox treatments and now has braces that help him walk. He's like a toddler in that aspect but each day he gets better. I so admire parents of special needs children I think they are all special gifts!!!

Do you only count physical disabilities? Only asking because I'm not sure if I qualify under this discussion. Thanks.

Disabilities are disabilities, some are harder to explain to other people. Especially if the disability is behaviour or mental disability, at least people realize with my little guy that he has special needs because they can see it.
Got some good news today my guy is going to be sponsored for Camp Tidnish and will be away at camp for a whole week this summer!! What a treat for him and a break for us!!

Wow, that's great news toomanykids.

I know, my parents take my daughter for a week every summer, and that is a godsend!

I bet he'll love it at camp

camp is always fun he will love it,it's nice there are places that sponsor kids.My son not the 1 i wrote about in here was sponsored by the childrens wish foundation 6 of us went to disney world for a week.

That must have been such fun Blueeyes We've been lucky this year, my guy will have a blast at camp its on a river and they go swimming , which he loves, I found him a swimsuit at Frenchy"s that has the floaties sewn right into it , so now he thinks he's a My oldest daughter got picked to go to Tim Hortons Camp in Parry Sound , Ontario for almost 2 weeks this summer. ( Thanks Tim's) So now I just have to find something for my middle child to do. And just imagine if they all went at the same time, it would be heaven (not with my luck )

I had all mine go to camp 1 year..the first day or 2 was good..then i spent the rest of the week waiting for them to come home