JourneyFEST

10/13/2024

“No, it’s ok! She can play with us!“

It was music to my heart.

Audrey had just darted into the middle of a soccer game being played by a few boys next to the park we walk to sometimes after dinner.

You see, Audrey is in a phase where she LOVES balls.

She had just watched a few older boys playing basketball.

When they left, she turned to the boys playing soccer and decided she was done watching.

They included her without hesitation.

She ran around with the boys for a little bit, chasing the ball and having a BLAST.

Then she spotted a stray off the side, grabbed it and ran back the court.

And…tried to play basketball using a soccer ball. 😂

The two boys immediately came running over, toeing off their cleats, and saying, “If it’s okay, we’ll just play with her over here. We took off our shoes so we won’t step on her!”

Not only were they including her in their game without pause, but they were also following her into her world.

The boys proceeded to play basketball using a soccer ball ..in their socks… for over 45 min.

“This one’s for you, Audrey “ while making a basket.

Passing her the ball softly.

Chasing after it when she tried to shoot and missed by a mile every time.

They asked me intelligent and kind questions about how to best include her.

They were genuinely sad when they saw it was time to go home and told me “We play here a lot, if you visit us, she’s always welcome where we are. “

Sweet. Baby. Jesus. 🥹

Whoever raised them babies … did it right.

Today a little bit of my faith in the world was restored. It’s so healing for my spirit to see that there are people out there who accept and include without hesitation.

They included her immediately.

Just opened the game for her, like nothing.

Didn’t matter that she was doing everything a different way.

Didn’t matter that she played holding her device and her favorite random household object.

They just saw her as a kid who wanted to play.

THAT is how you do inclusion.

See them.
Include them.
Adapt if possible.
It’s not hard.

Maybe, just maybe if two young boys can do it … the rest of the world will figure it out too. 🏀⚽️💙

Shared with permission from Krystal Anderson

07/11/2024

To my non-verbal child:

I know it’s frustrating,

living in a world where no one speaks your language.

One that is uniquely yours, that you worked so hard on to teach us how to take care of you.

I know your thoughts, feelings, needs and wants often go misinterpreted,

or take far longer to get across than you would hope.

But I hope you know I’m trying.

I hope you know that while I might not always get it right, I will never stop learning.

I hope you know that while the world might never understand you,

I will always do my best to speak accurately on your behalf.

To my non-verbal child:

Never stop expressing yourself.

Never stop teaching me.

Your language is beautiful,

And I’m proud to speak it with you.

Written by: Carla Moore from Payton's Path

03/20/2023

God doesn’t give special children to special people
He gives children with disabilities to ordinary people who then have a chance.

A chance to enter a world where differences are celebrated and true beauty is found.

Where sorrow and abounding joy can be felt in the same breath. And hardship does not mean the absence of happiness.

Where love can be communicated without ever uttering a word. And compassion and empathy invades every crevice in the heart.

Where hearts break over and over but the rebuilding creates something even stronger and more beautiful than before. And piece by piece, transformation begins.

Where advocacy and acceptance become like the air you breathe. And perspectives are challenged, redefined, and reshaped.

Where the smallest steps forward become the hope for tomorrow. And the reason for celebration unmatched.

God doesn’t give special children to special people. He gives children with disabilities to ordinary people that have a chance to wake up every day and make a choice. A choice to love, to learn, and grow into the best version of themselves all because they have the privilege of loving one incredible human being.

By Mothering Rare

09/13/2020

A super smart momma shared this in our private family group. I’m sharing here with her permission. ☺️

08/11/2020