HELLO...
As many of you here on minti know i am a nurse, currently working with disabled people. I am very lucky to have two very active and able little girls, but am all to aware that not everyone is so lucky (family members of mine have disabled
children). I am writting this article from my own experience, to give hope to any new parents who may have a disabled child.
Firstly, i feel it is very important for me to say that in my opnion, any child is a blessing and all are very special.
I have been qualified in my field of nursing for ten years, and before that i was a student nurse for a three years. As a student i had a lot of work placements in specialist respite (temporary) care for disabled children. I have met many gorgeous children full of love and life, but i want write about children that i met then and have recently also met as young adults.
I'm not going to mention names for obvious reasons, but i shall tell you about a girl that i helped to care for as a student...
She was around ten years of age at the time she was a happy child, but couldn't walk or feed herself and was slighty overweight and in nappies. Her frustration was obvious at times even though she couldn't talk. She didn't show affection, but it was also obvious that she knew by sight who her family was. This young lady recieved regular respite (temporary) care, in order to give her family some time to themselves.
Now, jump forward eight years...
At the age of about eighteen, her parents made the difficult decision that she was to go into permanent care. She was admitted to a community home where she settled well. This is where I met her again...
She is a very vocal (not words) and happy young lady, who walks around without any aid, she feeds herself and is an ideal weight. She knows that she is well looked after, that is obvious and she also often sits on the knees of staff members given the chance! She shows a lot more emotion as a young woman and her abilities have greatly inproved, and continue to do so.
The point of me writting this is to show that a disabled child can inprove and develop their abilities by leaps and bounds. People can still be very cruel when out in the community generally, but they don't know any better...
I think that it is very important as professionals in the field, and as parents of disabled children to educate the general public. Never give up hope on your disabled child, because as a nurse in this field i will never give up hope....
I know that it takes longer, but milestones can be reached and health issues can be controlled and sometimes overcome.
As a student i also met an eight year old boy, who along with his learning disabilty, was like a tasmainian devil; always on the go and often leaving a path of destruction along his way!
I recently met a very handsome well spoken nineteen year old young man, whom i recognised immediately by his piercing blue eyes. Although at time he struggles to control his energy he has grown and developed a wicked sense of humour and passion to learn.
When a disabled person shows this eagerness to learn and develop it should always be encouraged.
These are just two examples of the many inspiring people I have had the pleasure to care for, and to me it is always a pleasure to see the progress made and milestones reached.
I hope that this article is seen in the positive way it is intended, it is a message of hope for those of you who may feel dispair.
Many thanks to my friends here on minti who suggested that I write from my experiences, especially llmunchkin and mariamum...
lol to you all and your families, lisa xxxx.
(February 2008) (
