WHEN YOU HAVE TO CARE FOR A CHILD THAT MIGHT NEED CARE ALL HIS/HER LIFE!
The aim of this post is to bring up the awareness about SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN, so that we all can form a concrete opinion and prepare better as per how to deal with the such situation. I believe the major issue here is THE SURPRISE! Very few people are actually poised or prepared for this kind of experience in life, and if you ask those passing thru it now, you will know that its a situation they didn't prepare or bargain for, yet it happen. Our religious and cultural belief or experiences have not helped in any significant way.
Note that no religion can totally remove the influence of the culture of the people from its worship and practices.
But religiously we don't prepare our people enough for this role... Because we believe we have prayed or are praying against it. Until it then happen before we resort to either miracle or FATE!
In Africa, Our culture (talking from Yoruba perspective majorly) has taught us that this kind of children are "ỌMỌ ÒÒṢÀ" meaning they belong to the gods, so they must be returned back to them either thru sacrificing them or sometimes thru special care. Note: albinos are also in this category. And if you look at the challenges facing the albino children and the pain their parent has at raising such in a family you will understand the extent of this.
Having said that, as a Christian I believe strongly in I Corinthians 10:13 "No test has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested (with this kind of situation of raising a physically or mentally challenged baby) He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (emphasis added).
Here is my conclusion over years of seeing and or living with different kinds of this children...
1. Though I desire their change of situation, I feel special and useful caring for someone. You too should.
2. God never give you more than what you can handle! He is aware of our strength, resources and abilities. He only Trust people who can get the job done, who have the strength and the capability to train and raise such children in order to fulfill a purpose. Sincerely, you don't know how strong you are until you are faced with the only option of being strong for your child. If you are parenting such children, be glad for being considered 'good enough' to handle God's special project.
3. No matter how deformed, physically or mentally challenged anyone is... They are God's. This is why many parents suffer and even fail even at training physically and mentally fit children... They aren't your own! They are God's children in your care... All you need in training them is releasing them to God and receiving instruction on how He want them to be trained. I have noted that many parent failed because they try to train two children the same way! When for the training of each there is need for special specific instruction at times for a successful and efficiently effective upbringing. Note: Purpose may be same but method will surely be different!
4. Having such children to care for is not the end of the world! One of the reason it is difficult is that we want the kind of children that caring for them will fit into our 'normal' preconceived schedule... But it shouldn't be so... If you wont have their time then don't have them! And if you try to have them and you get "more than what you bargain for" then just wake up... Its call to duty.
5. To all: be aware, this situations are real and if you plan to make a family don't let it be a surprise to you!
6. No matter how deformed or physically or mentally challenged anybody is, they don't need pity and neither your/our discrimination! Only love, acceptance and care.
7. Depending on the severity of the challenge, it may be hell taking care of or living with such people. And worst still they may not know it! But no matter what, life is life, purpose is purpose; and there is no life without a single purpose... Even if its to teach us loyalty, love, responsibility and endurance!
#oluthomas
#oluthomas_sharing_the_love
#Parenting
#physicallychallenged
#children
Your views are most welcome...
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