Hi! I know this is off topic for this furum- But is anyone else the parent of a special needs child? Like any child that is deaf, blind, or MMI? Just curious because my 8 yr old son is deaf and he is drawn some pets {my Mia } in particular! And some pets just are soo drawn to him as well! I think that dogs and cats really "KNOW" that a child is special. Any thoughts or discussions on this? I have such an admiration for Special needs kids since my son was diagnosed deaf! He was deafend on his first birthday after he almost died from Spinal Meningitis! He loves animals and says when he grows up he wants to fix animals, and make them happy~!!!!
I do not have a special needs child but thanks so much for sharing this story with us. He sounds like a very sweet boy! It brought tears to my eyes as well!
I do think animals can tell. When I was in junior high school our chi had pups, and one of them was very bitty, and didn't seem to like anyone. But my brothers boss want a dog for her 16 year old downsendrom son. it was his birthday, and he could not drive due to the severity of his illness. Well this pup was the only one we had left, and we let his mom know that we thought it was a little mean, but she said he has always wanted a dog, and I know he will love it , and it will love him. So we put a bow on the pup, and my brother drove me out to their house, his mom open the door and called her son, and told him that Roxanne has someone that wants to meet you, and that needs you to take care of it. He came running to the door, and the pup saw him, jump out of my arms and ran and met him half way and jump up into his arms. He was licking him all over and just so happy to see this boy and to be with him. I was never so happy.. Here I thought this poor pup was never going to get a home becuse it was just to mean...when it was just being this way..so it wouldn't go to the wrong person.. His mother said they slept toghter, and did everything with each other. That the dog watch over he son, and loved him..He told her that the pup didn't care what he look like or how he talked... and he was right the pup loved him more...
Thanks for the replys! Lucas is his name, and we will get a pic up of him soon! [i hope] He is so special, and so are other special needs kids too! I went back to my job driving Special needs kids to school, and they are all so special too! If anyone is looking into a rewarding career, not animal related! Then please consider teaching or thearapists for these kids! Pre-schoolers are the best though!!!! ~IMO!! Sorry for all my bad spelling! I bring kids to school, and I cant spell myself! IRONIC~??? These kids are awesome though~in all ways!! And it seems alot of them are very drawn to animals as well! I thought it was interesting!
**** I liked your reply Dallas! Thats sweet and so true I think! My son Lucas is just attempting and REALLY trying to speak now, and alot of other kids will laugh at how he talks! If anyone has heard a deaf person speak- then you will know how it sounds! Its a long waited sound for me-but the neighbor kids around here will laugh! And it breaks my heart!!! But his kitties and his pups all love him soo much!! The Kitties are kind of skitish af everyone in the house, except for Lucas! He really bonds tighter with the furkids, and fish kids too! That is what initially brought me to post this now! He just lost a fishie today and he was really heartbroken!!!!!
My sister was born a health baby girl and at 3 months of age she was diagnosed with severe Cerebral Palsy. She never walked, talked, or functioned on her own. She was like a baby the entire 10 & a half years she was with us.
Growing up in a home with a special needs home shows us just how strong the bond of love can be. It is a wonderful thing. I remember my mother going for days without sleep, numerous trips to the hospital, still cooking and cleaning for 3 kids and a husband.......and I never once heard her complain.
I hold the highest of admiration of parents who care for their special needs children. I had no idea that your son was deaf and I'm glad you shared it. I do know that cats can sense emotions in people, especially depression. It seems only logical that if they can sense depression, they can sense happiness as well.
Animals are a wonderful security blanket for children as well. They relieve stress and are just all around healthy for people to own. The clinic I work at now uses animals as a means to help break through to children.
Your sons artistic interest in animals is wonderful. Lots of special needs children are very creative and artistic....it helps them to express themselves. Amazingly, if your son were ever in danger, I bet the animals would protect him at all costs - including their life.
I hope your son continues his interests in animals. We need more caring people in that field. As for you, you should be proud of yourself every single day.......for understanding the needs and being able to love a special needs child. I have seen so many children sent 'away' and I'll never understand how a parent could do that.
You sound like an awesome mother, and again, I'm glad you shared your story. I would really love to see some of your sons drawings if you have a way of getting them online.
My boys aren't physically disabled but they do have learning & social/mental? disabilities. One has CAPD (central auditory processing disorder) and social anxiety. The other has ADHD combined type and ODD (oppisitional defiant disorder).
Ansy- I am so happy you shared that! I have a niece out in Utah with the same condition- and Im soo overwhelmed now- I better have a good cry! Thanks Again Ansy and also Nikki- My deaf son Lucas is also ADHD!! I think they are all so special !! I will either reply or start amother topic- but Ansy and Nikki- Please watch for my responces! I will try to get pics of Lucas up and I do have drawings from my son Lucas, so I will try to get them on here, or on dogster page or something! I am not the most computer savy person!!!
wonderful stories that everyone has shared..Im so highly impressed by all ouf you...My problems at my house seem small in comparision...And I think that all of you with stories think "they" ( the one with the disability) are the lucky ones and not you who is watching them grow and live life. I am deeply touched to get to know each of you in a more intimate level...thank you all for sharing...
My story isnt the same..As kids were were raised strict and not allowed to judge or laugh at differences..Thank God...and we had an egg lady we bought eggs from..This lady was old and drank too much wine but was a good person...but up in age...she had a Mongaloid son...who in the 60's was in his 30's. He had no real dealings with any one and his Mother was urged when she had him in that day in time to institutionalise him and never see him again..Well thank God she did not follow that order..He was 36 I remember and strong as an ox..he used to tend to the chickens and lived to go to church on sunday and eat..and his name i knew him as was Porky...Well...we got frindly with the little family and soon they shared Christmas eve with us and we had an old Mangus orgon that he loved to play and say he was playing at church..We had gifts for him..a stocking and a great big meal always at our house..He is a fixture in my memory...We even had My olders sisters husband at the time put on a Santa suit and he was so cute...so in auah of santa...Well..the mother as I said was up in age..and she broke her leg and Porky took care of her and the house...really well..remember in this day and time Downs people were not expected to be much...But Porky was incrediable. This lady pulled up to the little local market and turned the car off and died..right there and his world was crushed.. I saw Porky only one time after that and his older sister brought him for a visit..He acted out of place and like he didnt no how to act..and she would not let him have coffee and put him on a diet..He was miserable..My thoughts are he willed himself out of this world and went to heaven to care for his mother Whom he called Wally...or Mom when he wanted some thing..I often think of him and know he is the one to keep me grounded as a young child..I have gotten degrees and worked in fields that brought me close to people with disabilities and seniors with dementia. I have been on our local Community Mental Health Authority board for several years and even the nonprofit I founded to help agencies I had several DD or MI people come to our meetings and help string tote bags or stuff animals to give out to agencies..I would let them have things if i had them donated..like jewlery or perfume and give them items they made and they would feel so proud.. I have gone to the centers before there big ball and polished the ladies finger nails so make them feel just that much prettier in there gown...I have had a lot of community involvment with people that are different and I can relate with them...Thanks for letting me share myself with you also...
Thanks to everyone for sharing their heartwarming stories - they brought back many sweet memories tinged with sorrow for me.
My husband & I were best friends with a younger couple. When we 1st met them their son was 6 mos. old and he had severe cerebral palsy. John John was the happiest, sweetest, funniest and most loving child as he grew. We spent alot of time together. As our daughter got older she even babysat for him. Each summer my husband & I would take him camping with us for 2 weeks - it was alot of work but very rewarding. We always told his parents that we weren't giving them a break - we were giving him a break from them. Then his parents & him would join us later in the season for another 1-2 weeks. Even after their family grew to include 2 girls he still had his time with us camping without others.
The dogs we had at the time were always extremely gentle with him and if he was at our house it was as tho we didn't exist in the dogs' minds - they only paid attention to him. His speech was nearly incomprehensible except to those who spent alot of time with him but I swear the dogs always knew what he was saying to them and responded accordingly. He would throw a toy & one of them would always run & get it and gently lay it in his lap and he'd laugh & laugh & laugh and do it again. If we threw something they would totally ignore it. It was as tho they knew, in their own special way, they were helping him with his physical therapy whereas we didn't need their help so we could go get it ourselves.
Sadly 10 yrs ago there was a tragic fire and all 3 children as well as another baby and man were lost. Camping was never the same afterwards but we know he was up there running around with his sisters cheering us on when we were at the horseshoe pits saying "Go Aunt E" and laughing his sweet laugh.
Because of my daughter's early involvement with John John she learned to appreciate all the joy those with special needs can bring to us. Today she works on a daily basis with special needs adults, from their early 20's +, and loves every day working with them in the residental setting.
Sorry for rambling on but I needed to share some of the memories this thread brought up and I knew all of you would understand.
What neat storys. My sister works with handicapped people. I don't really have too many memories of handicapped people. One was of a deaf mute that was the brother of a friend. I always was so nice to him, even though he pinched my face one too many times because he liked me. LOL It was funny though. I would always try to understand what he was trying to say. I know he could read lips. There would be times I may not have, be I think he was happy that I tried.
I used to be a caretaker for a lady that had dementia. It was very hard to watch her get worse and worse. I had did that at a really hard time in my life, and I really needed someone to talk to. It was hard, she never thought she was at her home, always thought she was visiting, I'm not a lieing type of person, but her son told me I had to make up lies at times to calm her down. Things like telling her her sone was on his way. God I hated that, the lieing to her. It got to the point where we had to stay with her till she fell asleep and then I could go home, Locking the door so she could not get out. If she did she would get lost, that was scarey. She of course ended up going to a home. None of my stuff is anyhweres as nice of a story as the rest, but thanks for telling them, we all have other things going on in our lives too. Not just pets.
Autistic kids are artistic. There is this guy I know that has an austistic daughter. Whenever I saw her when she was little, she was always doodling away. About a year ago, I guess a local artist took interest in her and she had her first art showing. I unfortunaltey missed it, but hopefully there will be more.
I was never so proud of one of my pet as I was at that time. Also up till that time I didn't understand how important pets could be to a person. It really changed how I felt about my pets.
