Angels Umong Us

Whatever kind of delay or disability that your child deals with daily, I’m sure part of your week is spent with some kind of pediatric therapist—Speech and Language, Physical, Occupational, Auditory Verbal, etc.... You have learned from these experts how to interpret certain aspects of your child’s development. They probably have become like part of your extended family, and have taught you how to help your child at home reach his or her highest potential.

     Think about it---these individuals, maybe many years ago, chose to go to school to learn about how to help our kids meet goals and be productive regardless of disability, before some of them were even born-- That fact never ceases to overwhelm me.

     Throughout the past eleven years with the journey of cerebral palsy with my daughter, we have had the privilege to encounter several therapists. The most appropriate descriptive word I think describes them all is angel. My favorite definition of angel from Dictionary.com is “a person who performs a mission of God or acts as if sent by God.” I firmly believe from the depths of my being that we special parents were chosen by God to parent our kids; and He has sent angels on a mission to provide therapy for our kids—in home, outpatient, inpatient, and in school. Isn’t that awesome? These angels existed in the therapy world before our kids were born, and they so beautifully make themselves visible to us when our kids are in need of their help.

     The angels we have had in our lives thus far all seem to have the same personal qualities that are divinely distributed—passion, determination, compassion, persistence, hope...all come to mind instantly. Who are the angels in your child’s life? How did you find them, or did they find you? Do you ever wonder how you helped your child succeed before they came into your world?

     From our experiences, the speech pathologists hear things we don’t hear, the physical and occupational therapists see things we don’t see. They all make us look at and listen to our kids from their unique heavenly perspective. They offer suggestions and plans that challenge our kids, but at the same time offer us hope and inspiration for their futures.

     All of my daughter’s therapists are an important part of her team—they all have her best interest in mind. They openly answer questions my husband and I have regarding her future, and our aspirations. Their words are definitely sacred; we feel God definitely placed them in our path to guide this part of our journey.

     I feel compelled as a mother to share some facts regarding one of Olivia’s angels that makes herself apparent to the human eye as an occupational therapist. She is definitely on a divine mission. Linda Ankerman is a friend of our family, and for the past ten years, she has blessed us with her knowledge, skills, heart, and love… every month, without asking for anything in return (in addition to working a full time job). She is the epitome of what it means to be a servant of God—her unselfishness amazes me.

     So the next time you have a bad day and are thinking “Why me?, Why my  child?”, just remember He thinks so much of our special kids that He has sent His angels to personally take care of them. What could be better?

~Maria