Independence is a double-edged sword. Of course, we want our children to grow into independence, but, with a child who has intellectual disabilities, it can backfire.
Events just don’t happen without us. At the same time, we all wish and pray and work towards independence for our children.
As special needs parents, advocate, independence, and empathy are three vital words to our children’s lives. But I would like to add one more.
To be independent is a hard-wrought thing. Eating, breathing, speaking, moving…these things take intense effort from a child and family with special needs.
In this article from the Seattle Times, the author introduces us to Betty Erickson, who works out at her Mount Vernon Gym.