Thursday, March 20, 2008

Birthday Ticker

So, I logged on this morning to update Marie's birthday ticker to the right. She needs the one that marches onwards towards the big TWO. I was on the site, I selected the design, then I proceed to the second step where you select the little figure. All of them show little children walking around. None are sitting even, definitely none lying down. All walking.... what the crap?

Am I the only mother of a "special needs" child who wants a ticker for the kids birthday? Why don't they have some for everyone? Sometimes, and trust me I try to be bigger than this, but it is like a knife in the side to see what Marie would be doing if she didn't have Leigh's. They should have a child that represents everyone. I am probably too sensitive I'm sure. I have issues just with the term "special needs". I see Marie as perfect, and dammit, I want everyone else to too.

I selected the tractor. This is relatively accurate since at some point I'm sure Marie will spend some time in one, and I made sure it was GREEN, not the RED tractor. I have a husband that would go ballistic if the tractor was red...

I was struck by this today. As my cousin would say "back when I was in the magic bubble" I would not have even noticed that they didn't have all sorts of children depicted as markers. I would have just picked the one that best matched and moved on. Never pausing. For that I am sorry. I am sorry I was so naive, I'm sorry that I was uncomfortable when confronted with disabled people before. I'm sorry that at the site of a sick child my first reaction was to look away. Thank you God for opening my eyes. There was this entire section of very special people I was missing. Because I'm being brutally honest I admit this, it also makes me sad that there are people who act the way I used to. They don't know what they're missing...

3 comments:

Susie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susie said...

I know what you mean, Shannon, but in a different way, of course. If we handle life's trials well, they open our eyes to new understanding, compassion, and charity for others. It's a wonderful outcome, but man, it sure doesn't come easily. And it sure is painful. Anything worth having is worth some sweat and tears, though.
Even though you won't have Marie with you as long as you wanted here on Earth, don't mourn because you'll never see her again. She's just too precious to have to go through the hardships of life here on Earth. She doesn't need to prove herself to God. So he's going to spare her and take her home to wait until you get to go home, too.
Hang in there, you're doing better than you know.

Tiffany said...

I was just went on lilypie.com to get new tickers and wanted to let you know that after age 2, they do have a few kids in wheelchairs. I am not sure if they read this post and added more or not. Now I wondering why the wheelchairs start after they turn 2 and not 1?