Sep 07 2008
Finding the Abilities in disabilities
A good example of how well you child can do given the opportunities to succeed is Melissa Bishop.
Melissa was our key-note speaker at IMDSA’s 2007 Research & Awareness Conference. Melissa’s mom Susan always did her best to give her daughter the best opportunities to succeed. She never told Melissa that she could not do something. Instead, she encouraged her to try.
After Melissa finished high school, she and her sweetheart, Adam got married. Then, they moved across the country to begin their lives and careers on their own. (Adam’s parents live in the same area, but they are completely independent)
The couple owns their own home (something I wasn’t able to do till much later in life) , they own a restaurant (maybe more than one by now…) and they have a beautiful little girl who keeps them on their toes as most toddlers do.
Did I mention Adam was blind?
So, Adam is blind, Melissa has mosaic Down syndrome, and look at all they have and all they are doing! Since Adam is blind Melissa does all the driving. And, she is way braver than I am, because she drives all over the country whenever they need to go somewhere! (I do too…. just not so brave about it! lol)
A little extra surprise in this story…. Melissa and Adam are expecting their second baby!
Try your best to not put limitations on your child’s abilities. Remember to teach your child to say “I’ll Try” instead of “I Can’t” and watch their Abilities SOAR!
2 Responses to “Finding the Abilities in disabilities”
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I have a severe vision problem - my “good” eye has about 10/700 acuity in it. I always told my grandma I wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up, but she always told me I couldn’t do that due to my blindness. I was insistent that I could, and that I would prove her wrong. I know she just wanted the best for me and for me not to get disappointed, but I feel a little encouragement would have gone a long way!
While I am not a vet (I changed my mind, LOL), I do write about cats on one of my blogs, I volunteer at a cat shelter, and I have two cats of my own, so I definitely found a way to incorporate my love of animals into my life. I still know I could have been a vet if I had chosen to be one!
It’s so important to encourage any “disabled” child or adult to go after their dreams!
Great story
Sierra
http://purrfectpets.today.com
http://anxiety.today.com
Sierra
Thank you so much for your great story. So many parents are just so worried about their child being disappointed that they actually hold them back without knowing it. I think it is great that you found a way to still volunteer in an area that you were interested in. We all have some sort of passion and it is important to take that passion and make something of it!
Thanks for your comments!
Kristy