Two blog posts in a row. WHAT WHAT?! š Iām determined to see this 30 Days of Thanks through to completion and maybe, just maybe, Iāll get on a good roll with blogging.
Today, I am thankful for exceptional children. No, Iām not talking about my own two today, although they are quite exceptional in their own ways per their biased parents. Todayās post is about some awesome kids I know who face challenges every day and who know greater difficulties than most of us. They are heroes, champions and inspirations to us all. You may know them as āspecial needsā kids, but I know them as exceptional.
God has given me a heart for kids with special needs. I canāt take any credit at all for having a heart for them ā itās all about what He has laid on me for these amazing children. You Ā see, I didnāt grow up around many kids with special needs. Back then, those kids were in different classrooms and we really never saw them throughout the school year much at all. How incredible is it that we have inclusive classrooms now? I think itās simply awesome! Our girls attend an elementary school that promotes inclusion and I canāt rave enough about how wonderful that is. My children are aware that other kids have different challenges, but they donāt see the kids themselves as different ā they are ājustā kids. It makes me so proud to see that students in the halls donāt even think twice when they see another student using a walker or a wheelchair. They are all classmates and friends. Itās really incredible!
As a substitute teacher, I get a chance to work with kids of all needs throughout the school. I might as well be honest and admit that working in the special needs classrooms is a favorite of mine. Donāt get me wrong, I do enjoy āgen edā too, but those kids in the special needs classrooms have really captured my heart. I obviously wonāt name any names here on this public blog, but I will just say that the kids I see and get to work with regularly bless me beyond belief. From their big smiles, to the awesome grins and laughs and on to their determination and courage ā they are all inspirational. If you were ever having a down day, I guarantee that I know several kids that could put a smile on the saddest of faces. They donāt even have to be verbal to bring joy to your heart ā they do that just by being themselves. I feel so blessed and honored to have even a small role in working with these amazing kids.
Our friend Tim is a teacher at the girlsā school. Mickey and I are blessed to be friends with Tim, his wife Briahnna and their family. They are some really cool people!! Ā TimĀ teaches the SID/PID (severe/profound disabilities) class and has some of the most incredible students you could ever hope to meet. Tim is a champion and advocate for inclusion. He has a great blog that you should all check out too ā itās Think Inclusive. When I get to work in that classroom, Tim and his parapros all inspire me with the way they work with these kids. That classroom environment is full of grace, acceptance and encouragement.
So, here is my encouragement for today ā work for inclusion. If you have a child with special needs, be an advocate for your child to receive inclusive education. If your child is in a general education classroom, be an advocate for inclusion in the classroom. Inclusion benefits everyone. God gave us all our own abilities and we live in this big old crazy world together. Letās start from an early age in teaching that inclusion is belonging. Our friends with exceptional abilities make our world a better place. I canāt help but be thankful that I know and get inspired by some of the most exceptional kids on the planet.
Be blessed, yāallā¦
Kelly