Children with special needs are all around us.  Some of them we see every day - while shopping, on vacation or in school.  These children are visible because of the assistive devices they may require such as wheelchairs, braces, crutches or other means.  It is human nature to watch these children go by or to stare.  We watch how they walk or roll by, curious about their condition and at how they live their day.  Then there are others - those who we can’t detect who have special needs because they appear quite typical.  But they are a bit different in their developmental abilities.  We might see these disabilities manifest themselves in grunts or groans when they attempt to communicate.  We might see them having difficulties as their parents attempt to guide them in the right direction.  Regardless of the circumstances, one thing does hold true:  whether in a wheelchair or not, whether walking differently or not, whether acting differently or not, children with special needs are children.  And children need love.

Imagine a day, where at no fault of your own, you find yourself a child once again.  In addition, you’re now a child who is not able to talk as you normally would or to walk as your normally would - or to breathe as you normally would.  You might be fortunate to have devices to help you, but as you go out onto the sidewalk or attempt to do your everyday things, you find yourself unable to keep up with others around you.  You hear laughter, you see differences in others and you want to change.  But you don’t know how.  You might have problems rationalizing as you go about your day.  You can’t dress yourself or may not be able to determine what matches.  Stairs become your worst enemy.  You are now dependent on others to get you through the day.  On top of all of these differences, you wish things were different for you, but you still long for love.  And acceptance.

Children need love no matter their appearance, disability or condition.  Don’t wait until a special month comes along to recognize children who might be different from your children.  Educate yourself and your children about differences as well as similarities.  Volunteer at a children’s facility.  As you give love from your heart to those who deserve it, you teach them what the world can be like.  And you might learn something about yourself at the same time.