The truth that we all as special needs parents continue to preach is awareness. In case you were not sure why, let me shine some light all over that for ya. Awareness (for any issue) brings about change, which is of utmost importance. In return, this promotes talking and education, encourages questions, pushes providers to watch and learn new ways to help, increases research and empathy, and the key piece is when actual tangible tools are implemented in equipment design change and accessibility to activities that typical functioning folk completely take for granted. Let me elaborate more.
There are those out there who have for many years screamed from the rooftop about handicap accessibility and the lack thereof. For those of us who do not deal with this on an in and out basis every day, we just smile and pretend to understand. But enough. There isn’t the magnitude of care flowing behind that “bless your heart” attitude.
I am sure for the most of you, at some point in time you have visited a beach. It is meant to be relaxing. It is a place of reflection, a time to take in the awesomeness our creator made and a place to breathe deeply without allowing worries to enter our mind. It is peaceful and sunny. You wait in anticipation for the date to come. Well, imagine not being able to go out onto the beach because of the sand. You can’t roll wheelchairs onto most. Did you know that? Have you ever thought about toting oxygen onto a hot beach so you can actually breathe? Not as easy as you think. And trust me from doctors to friends alike, it seems like the consensus is, well it can be done. Um yeah it can, but not without extreme difficulty. HOW RELAXING IS THAT?
Let’s stop being dismissive. Let’s think about ways to help or advocate for changes to be made. Put yourself in the shoes (or chair) of a child. Close your eyes, can you breathe deeply? Imagine not being able to without attachments to your face and heavy equipment. How far would you go to get an ear to hear? What would you do? How loud would you scream for an audience?
Let’s face it, you have to be an athlete of a parent to be able to do this without Advil. And tears. Where can we get an Amen? Let’s step it up friends. Everyone can be more aware. We need CHANGE.