Dear Sir/Maam,
It is with a feeling of misgiving and diffidence with which I address this note to you; and it is only my great anxiety for the cause I present, which prompts me for the first time in my life to "beg" from a total stranger.You may consider this rather a strange letter coming from a stranger as it does, one whom you never met.
“Special needs” just doesn’t sound cool, although out of all the terms, I tend to use it a lot because it’s the most recognized term. “Differently-abled” is cooler but harder to explain and I don’t always want to explain. “Disabled” emphasizes negativity, and “handicapped” just seems outdated to me.
I know, I know: Why are labels necessary? Sometimes, they just are. I don’t always want to say "junjun has nerves disorder ”—vague terminology comes in handy for forms, special accommodations at places, nosy people.
I’ve had many lively discussions with other parents, and all of us seem to agree there should be a better term. I recently met a mom who describes her child as “freaky-perfect.” That one didn’t work for me, as I think “freak” has some bad associations. A lot of people in the autism community describe kids as having “quirks,” which I think is awesome but that term doesn’t fit junjun, who has nerves disorder. I mean, it’s quirky that he wants "CHAMPORADO" for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I’ve been known to say junjun has “special powers”—a lot of people liked that term when I threw it out there, but then I got some scathing criticism from an adult with disabilities who said, among many things, that it made it sound as if people with disabilities have the power to fly or shoot lightning bolts from their fingertips. I still thought it could work well for a child. Although it would be really cool if junjunncould shoot lightning bolts from his fingertips.
I’ve had many lively discussions with other parents, and all of us seem to agree there should be a better term. I recently met a mom who describes her child as “freaky-perfect.” That one didn’t work for me, as I think “freak” has some bad associations. A lot of people in the autism community describe kids as having “quirks,” which I think is awesome but that term doesn’t fit junjun, who has nerves disorder. I mean, it’s quirky that he wants "CHAMPORADO" for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I’ve been known to say junjun has “special powers”—a lot of people liked that term when I threw it out there, but then I got some scathing criticism from an adult with disabilities who said, among many things, that it made it sound as if people with disabilities have the power to fly or shoot lightning bolts from their fingertips. I still thought it could work well for a child. Although it would be really cool if junjunncould shoot lightning bolts from his fingertips.
When I talk about JunJun his little sis, I tend to say that Junjun is just like other kids but some things take him longer to do. Atalia knows the term “special needs” and used to tell people “JunJUn needs special needs,” which really didn’t work.
One wording tactic that I have no qualms about is ”people first” language—that means you put the person in front of the disability. So instead of saying “a special needs child” you say “a child with special needs.” And instead of saying “An autistic adult” you say “An adult with autism.” I never knew about it till I had Junjun, but once I did, it seemed like a respectful thing to do.
If you have a kid with special needs or who’s differently abled or who has special powers, etc., what terms do you use when you have to? If you are a parent of so-called typical kids, what words do you use to describe children you know who have special needs?
One wording tactic that I have no qualms about is ”people first” language—that means you put the person in front of the disability. So instead of saying “a special needs child” you say “a child with special needs.” And instead of saying “An autistic adult” you say “An adult with autism.” I never knew about it till I had Junjun, but once I did, it seemed like a respectful thing to do.
If you have a kid with special needs or who’s differently abled or who has special powers, etc., what terms do you use when you have to? If you are a parent of so-called typical kids, what words do you use to describe children you know who have special needs?
If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother/sister; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks. ”
“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
When parents learn about any difficulty or problem in their child’s development, this information comes as a tremendous blow. The day my child was diagnosed as having a disability, I was devastated—and so confused that I recall little else about those first days other than the heartbreak. Another parent described this event as a “black sack” being pulled down over her head, blocking her ability to hear, see, and think in normal ways. Another parent described the trauma as “having a knife stuck” in her heart. Perhaps these descriptions seem a bit dramatic, yet it has been my experience that they may not sufficiently describe the many emotions that flood parents’ minds and hearts when they receive any bad news about their child.Many things can be done to help yourself through this period of trauma.
“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
When parents learn about any difficulty or problem in their child’s development, this information comes as a tremendous blow. The day my child was diagnosed as having a disability, I was devastated—and so confused that I recall little else about those first days other than the heartbreak. Another parent described this event as a “black sack” being pulled down over her head, blocking her ability to hear, see, and think in normal ways. Another parent described the trauma as “having a knife stuck” in her heart. Perhaps these descriptions seem a bit dramatic, yet it has been my experience that they may not sufficiently describe the many emotions that flood parents’ minds and hearts when they receive any bad news about their child.Many things can be done to help yourself through this period of trauma.
I'm a Poor mother asking your help for my son Marlou Jr. who is 2 suffer with CEREBRAL PALSY that cause my son of disability . JUNJUN is lack of head control, stiffness or floppiness, overextending the back and crossed legs..I’d like my son to check on the specialist on his condition so that he can be able to walk,speak,crawl, and move his body normally .same to the other children.i’m begging somebody “PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE” give love to my loving JUNJUN ,Being a mother i wan’t my children to have a good health,normal life ,and most of all safe. my kids are my life,strength, and inspiration.My husband is uneducated person,no work, and he the one who taking care of my disable loving junjun.and i am working as a room attendant in a resort of Boracay Philippines,but not enough for the food supply just for milk .i really wan’t to stop working and focus to my family back to the farm because i’m so worried to my 2nd child “JunJun” on his situation..he’s only 8 months when i’m giving birth to him.,,,,3 days after he got sick because i dont have money for the encubation so i bring him in the house so sad my son is almost 1 month in the holding area/emergency room with oxygen fighting his life to survive.and thank’s God he’s good and my son is alive but not in a normal condition.i never stop praying that hopefully someday my son will be alright..While watching and carrying my son its too hurt and too hard for me to observe growing on that condition .Now his left arms and left leg started to become thin,no function.My heart is full of sadness..i always cry and cry even when i’m typing this messages right now..i never stop crying..i spend 3 days typing this message because i’m so hurt , my feeling is almost down but i said to myself i never stop,i did’nt lost my hope that somebody will open they’re heart and helping my son on his situation.i never give up ! until such day somebody heard me .i really really really love my family,,,i love them so much…i really wan’t to come back on farm with a simple life together with my family.but its too hard for me to start again specially to my son condition.where do i get money to buy they’re milk? PLEASE I need donors or help for his theraphy and medication,i’m praying,wishing,and hoping that someday it will be alright.i know God is always there.. and i write all of this because my heart is broken ..so help me God.
Thank you for giving time on reading my message,see my facebook page: jenneveysilvestre@facebook.com.
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servant Marlou Bartolome Jr. for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.·
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servant Marlou Bartolome Jr. for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.·
