Patience

You know how your parents always said, “Patience, you’ll get there down the road.”? 

Now, you are down the road, and the point is, people without special needs realize their interests quickly, and go to college. 

Yet, the trick is , what to tell someone with special needs? Often, people with special needs hear, "Patience, patience, you’ll get there." But that can be nerve wracking for them. The question is, “Why?” In today’s society, everyone is wanting to get everything quickly. You can microwave your food, or use computers, but people with special needs are never going to get past their limit of what God gave them.   

What I am saying is, we need to learn to respect everyone’s boundaries equally, including people with special needs. They deserve to be heard and respected just as much as you do, when you need it. 

So, even if it is volunteering, taking time out to listen is the best way for people with special needs. That is because half of the time, what they are trying to say may seem like a puzzle to you, but it is their reality. I went through that. My mom had back surgery, and my dad would always explain it , but gave too many details for me to have on my plate. 

Yet, because people are not patient, I was afraid to speak up and ask what he meant, because I didn’t know better. The pain for me kept growing, and it affected me to where I am at the end of the road for medicine. A new door has opened up though, and I have the opportunity to have a VNS implanted in me to help with my seizures. I am very thankful. 

Some families may be scared to hear that someone may need that, but the person with special needs is thankful that people are looking out for them in ways they can’t. I am hoping this takes a lot more off my plate, and lets me gain more confidence to be involved in activities. It is very important to know this because, yes, some families are poor and need help with this, but it might be coming to where volunteering may be a help to these people, and they can be taken care of, instead of being told you will be okay, but not have the support.

Until next time…

Alyssa