Whoever They Are

I watched an episode of Dr. Phil titled "Moms Who Hate Their Own Children". The first mom has a 14-year-old daughter that is autistic. She tells her daughter that she hates her, she can't stand her, asks her what the hell is wrong with her, etc. She also pushes and hits her. The mother said she was a good mom to her when she was little. But, now she doesn't understand the way the girl acts, and doesn't understand autism. Her and her husband are both well-educated. She assumed when her and her husband had the baby, that the baby would be "normal". That the baby would be healthy, just like so many people.

I've heard so many people say, and have even said it myself (to an expectant mother, about a baby before it's born), "We don't care if it's a boy or girl, just as long as it's healthy." Well, of course everyone would wish for their baby to be healthy, but what if it isn't? What if your child is autistic, has Down Syndrome, has learning disabilities, is missing a limb, has an extra finger, has any disfigurement, mental disorder, physical limitations, blind, deaf, etc.

For us, who aren't moms yet, and have been on this journey awhile with no success, our answer is a little different now. When someone asks us, "Do y'all want a boy or a girl, or doesn't it matter, just healthy?", our response is "We just want a baby, just to be moms." Of course we don't wish for our children to have any limitations or anything that would make people want to label them as "different". But, we welcome whatever our child/children bring us.

We vow to embrace them, love them, cherish them, whoever they are!

Written by Barbara