Happy Mother's Day, Mommies of Kids With Disabilities!

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and I want to take a few minutes to recognize my fellow Moms of kids with disabilities out there. Chances are, you might not get a day off, or even a few hours off, to pamper yourself as many other Moms will do this Sunday. You may be administering medications and helping your child complete their daily therapies. This Sunday may just be a regular day for you, and I need you to know just how important you are not just on Mother’s Day — but every day.

You are amazing, Mom. Never forget that.

I see you rocking your child before they are wheeled off into surgery. I hear you whispering encouraging words to your child to help ease their anxiety about the coming procedure. You have the most reassuring look on your face as you watch the hospital team wheel your child’s bed off to surgery and you wave goodbye and give a thumbs up. Then I cannot help but notice the tears in your eyes as your child rounds the corner with the nurses and is completely out of your view. I see you pacing in the OR waiting room or staring off into space consumed by your thoughts of worry.

You are amazing, Mom. Never forget that.

I’ve watched you sit by your child’s hospital bed listening to the monitors beep. You anxiously monitor your child’s oxygen levels, heart rate and blood pressure just looking for a sign that everything is going to be OK. You haven’t showered in a couple days and only leave your child’s bedside long enough to go to the restroom or to wash your face. I hear you questioning every single person entering your child’s room, making sure that your child is receiving the best treatment plan available. Even though you are exhausted because you have only slept a few hours sitting in the chair next to your child’s bed, your face glows when your child is awake, like all the anxiety you have been feeling has melted away.

You are amazing, Mom. Never forget that.

I hear you on the phone fighting the insurance company to cover a treatment that was initially pre-approved and then was later denied. I see you on-hold for hours at a time and fumbling through mountains of paperwork when a representative comes on the line. You plead as to why the medical treatment your child received was absolutely medically necessary and vow to appeal the denial if you are billed. I feel the anxiety you feel knowing this is another insurance fight you don’t need on top of everything else. Finances are tight between all the medical appointments, medical equipment and therapies. You know you cannot afford to pay out thousands more.

You are amazing, Mom. Never forget that.

I watch you try to carve out some special one-on-one time for your other children. You feel guilty because so much time is devoted to their sibling with disabilities and you need them to know how important they are. I see your amazing children remind you they not only understand, but they are happy knowing their brother or sister has the best caregiver in the world: you.

They know you are amazing, Mom, and they know how much they are loved. Never forget that.

It is night time and you are exhausted after another long day. I see you check on your child before retiring for the night. You check to make sure your child’s breathing equipment is working properly and make sure he doesn’t need anything else. Your head finally hits the pillow, but now you are wide awake wondering if you should call the doctor to ask about a new medication you read about. I see you worrying if you are doing enough for your child, if you are good enough to be the parent your child needs.

Well, amazing Mom, I am here to tell you that you are! You are exactly who your child needs and your child is thriving because of you! So, rest easy, Mom.

You are amazing. Never forget that.

Happy Mother’s Day!