I’ve known a “special needs” person for 43 years. As his life was coming to an end, I got to thinking about just what a “special needs” person is. We have coined the phrase to relate to people who have challenges; physical, developmental, behavioral/emotional, sensory-impaired. I’ve known many “special needs” people throughout my life, and I must say, my thoughts apply to all that I have ever met.
I think we got it wrong, calling them “Special Needs.” Somewhere in history, the two words became one phrase. It should just be that they are very “special” people. The “need” is on our part. We “need” them in our lives to teach us very important things; things we probably don’t even know they are teaching us. They teach us love, patience, tolerance, helping, giving and so much more. They give parents the opportunity, with each encounter, to tell their children that this “special” person will be a good friend if given the chance. That this “special “ person will teach them so many things about life that they will never learn elsewhere, if given the chance. They will educate you on their particular “challenge;’ what can they do, what does their challenge feel like, what can’t they do, what would they like to do, and what can you help them do.
I’ve never met a “special” person who did not have a huge capacity for loving just about everyone in the world. They teach us patience in that when we see a “special” person who can’t move quite as fast as we can, we slow down and be patient; there is so much more to life than hurrying to be somewhere. If they can’t speak as clearly as we can, we listen harder to understand. They teach us tolerance by example; they tolerate our rudeness, our staring, our really stupid remarks about their challenges. They teach us that it is okay to ask if they want help, (not need help). They teach us to give of ourselves; our time, our money, but most of all our love to them.
Be thankful if you have been lucky enough to know or have a “special” person in your life or in your family, you are a very special person yourself.
Donna Kline, Idaho Springs
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