The Bill of Rights: Special Needs Style

A Bill of Rights of parents of kids with Special Needs

(I don’t know who originally created this.  If anyone knows, please let me know and I’ll give them credit.)

• You have the right to take one day at a time, and take that day positively.  Having control over the future is a pure illusion.

• You have the right to find and allow positive mentors: parents and professionals who can share with you their experience, advice and support.  You also have the right to set boundaries that don’t allow the negative.

• You have the right to stop and smell the roses.

• You have the right to keep and use a sense of humor. Cracking up with laughter can keep you from cracking up with stress.

• You have the right to not be perfect, or even try to be.

• You have to right to not try to be all things to all people.

• You have the right to sometimes leave things undone.

• You have the right to say, “no.”

• You have the right to be boring, untidy, inelegant and unattractive at times.  That includes making a WalMart run in your sweats.

• You have the right to answer only to your conscience: then you’ll be able to answer to your child. You need not justify your actions to your friends or the public.  (If I can stand before my Father in Heaven, knowing I’ve been honest in my dealings, that is all that matters.)

What about you?  What would YOU add to this list?