At a Loss for Words

This morning, I’m speechless.  Yesterday I did a guest post over at Our Typical Life, based on a portion of the speech I gave in Atlanta a few weeks ago.  The response to it was astonishing.  As of this moment, the post has over 70 comments, and a few people also made their way over here to comment or email me directly.  The post was also featured yesterday on WordPress.com’s “Freshly Pressed” page.  The reaction to “Set Apart: A Primer for the Typical Folks” has been overwhelmingly positive.  Some of the commenters are individuals who either have disabilities themselves or are the friend or family member of someone who does.  Also among the commenters were advocates and educators, “typical” moms, and at least one childless individual.  There were also several people who feel “different” – including someone suffering from mental illness and a graduated homeschooler.  Here’s a sampling of what people had to say:

Oh, this post. The top 5 things…I hear them practically every day and they annoy me even more every time. I love this post so much. I could have written every word of the list and how you feel about it! So great to know those feelings are shared. – j’s momma

I love this quote from you: “Differently-abled children (and their parents) have dreams, just like you do. We also need friends and love, just like you do. We are more like you than we are different.”

So Profound! Keep up the good work with this blog because it will help others to look at things differently! – Lisa

 

This post speaks to MOMS, all moms, period. There is no mother who doesn’t want her children to be accepted and loved, for them to thrive and grow. Thank you so much for sharing this, and speaking to the heart of women who love their children  – Tori Nelson

 

You tell ‘em! You have said everything I often have thought and felt when in the presence of differently abled children and their parents. They are blessed to have you as a mother as much as you are blessed to have them as children. – atticannie

 

I will completely confess…I needed this post. I am really in tune with connecting and sensitivity to ethnic and racial cultural difference but I don’t have a clue about the culture and community of the disabled. This was excellent in it’s practicality and helping those of us who are willing but clueless. – Marilyn

 

All I can say is I wish you had been my parent when I was growing up!

As a child the worst was the pity stare, or its counterpoint being ignored. People would often make me feel as if I just wasn’t there because they refused to “see” my disability. I like and have used the term differently-abled for years., I am glad to see it get some press. As a differently-abled mother I thank you for seeing your children this way. Let me tell you the best is when people ask me about my hand or leg( I have CP). Education is the best way to dispell the myth surrounding the differences in people and it starts with children. My daughter(now an adult) never stopped being my advocate to her friends-which was so often touching-so it can work, people can change. Thanks for that. – ancientfoods

 

This has made an impression on me…and has helped me in realizing how to relate to people who have special needs or have children with special needs. Thankyou – Bonnie Marie

 

Your children are BEAUTIFUL and thank you for enlightening well-meaning others. I grew up with a seriously disabled and disfigured younger brother [think Elephant Man and you get an idea]. I feel for others when their children ask the obvious, “What’s wrong with him?” but you are so right. A simple, “I don’t know, let’s ask why he has such special differences.” is all it takes. Like you said, just ask. We all want to answer, to inform, and to eliminate the fear. I hope folks listen to you. Bless you all with love and laughter. – Elizabeth Godwin Sayle

 

Wow. So incredibly well-written. We may all be at fault in some way or other in such situations- especially when explaining to kids. This was really enlightening and very important to hear. Your children are beautiful, G-d bless you guys. Congrats on freshly pressed- This was a wonderful article to share with the world.

We all must promote change- thank you for helping clarify and teaching us the way. – rye katcher

 

I was floored.  I started this blog as an outlet for me, but I’ve kept it up (and hope to grow it in the future) in part because I’ve had a number of people tell me that it taught them something or encouraged them in some way.  I wish I could say that I have a Grand Plan for my blog, but I don’t.  I’m working on developing some structure, but I haven’t even achieved that yet.

What I discovered through this post (other than that I probably ought to consider moving from Blogger to WordPress!) is that I Have Important Things to Say.  So even when I’m at a loss for words, I need to keep talking.

If you’d like to read more of the comments, you can do so over at the post on Beth’s page.