Of Course

 Last Friday, as I was making last minute preparations for the 4^th and 5^th grade program,

A parent wrote me to ask a question.

She wanted to know if her son was going to be involved in the program that night.

She had assumed that he wasn’t going to be

Because he is an EC (Exceptional Children) student,

But after school that day he told her that he had practiced that afternoon and had to go back that night.

Of course he is, I told her.

He is more than welcome to come.

So he did.

And he performed with his neuro-typical, able-bodied peers,

And we had a great performance.

 

After ten weeks of work,

Rehearsing with soloists,

Singing meaningful songs hundreds of time,

And sending out multiple parent messages,

What sticks with me the most about last Friday night’s performance

Is that parent’s message.

She was so excited when I told her that her son was invited to perform.

It’s as if it were an abnormal occurrence for her son to be treated like his peers.

And that made me sad.

It still makes me sad.

 

While we have come a long way in our EC services in the past few decades,

We still have a long way to go.

It’s hard, knowing how to embrace persons who are differently abled,

But it’s a necessity that we learn and that we stop shutting them and their families in the closet.

Taking care of a special needs child is exhausting.

Many EC parents and caregivers love their children unconditionally but find themselves with the life-long commitment of taking care of children who cannot take care of themselves.

In general, we do a terrible job supporting the families and parents of special needs children.

It takes time, intentionality, and effort…

And yet…

We are called to love one another.

 

May we strive to live in a world where parents don’t have to write to see if their child is included.

And may we work to make the playing field equitable for everyone involved.

 

Amen.