Five Things I Wish I Knew Sooner
Hindsight is always 20/20, right? Here’s a few things that looking back at my life I wish I knew before my son was diagnosed:
ONE | You're stronger than you think
The moment of diagnosis is heartbreaking and overwhelming. Despite feeling unprepared and inadequate, God has given me strength to survive many situations I never thought I could.
TWO | Your child looks to you
I can keep myself calm despite how frustrated and hopeless I may be feeling inside, and put on a confident face for my child when things are uncertain. I can be a safe, dependable place to land in the chaos.
THREE | Grief doesn't disappear
The stages of grief apply to special needs parenting too - it's the death of a dream you had for your child. You have every right to grieve what you thought their life would be like, and what you had envisioned motherhood to be. You will learn to live with it.
FOUR | You're not alone
the feelings of isolation when your child is diagnosed is all-consuming. Finding others who are a little further along on this journey will make all the difference to how you set out on this new path before you. Look for others who get it!
FIVE | Your pain helps others
I can use my story and experiences to encourage others like us to keep going. Because I am going through this myself, I have empathy and an understanding for other families about something I knew nothing of before.
