Lynda Had Someone Who Believed in Her...

This is a true statement but isn't it just as true about all children? It could just as easily read "All children just need a little help, a little hope, and someone who believes in them".  Kids with special needs may need varying degrees of help and that might go over the amount that typically developing children require but all children need hope and someone who believes in them.  The problem for kids with special needs is when someone or a lot of someones have the mind set that there is no hope.  With no hope goes finding people who believe it them.  A lot of this can be prevented or attitudes changed by educating the public about what talents and skills kids with special needs have.  If we look only at the struggles a child may be experiencing in a particular area of development we are going to be less likely to see the same child in a positive light for the many gifts and talents he does have in other areas.

God made us all unique and different and those differences are what make us all special.  We shouldn't strive to make cookie cutter kids who all fit the same mold.  It isn't the way God created us and it's not what's best for our world.  We need people who think outside the box.  People who solve problems in unorthodox ways (and many of our children especially on the autism spectrum) will grow up to be our future scientists, inventors, problem solvers IF we nourish them, believe in them and refrain from trying to make every child fit one mold.

Lynda was loved and cherished for exactly the child God created.  I don't know what plans God had for Lynda but I know He used her in mighty ways even though she was essentially non-verbal most of her life.  Those who loved her and were touched by her life carried her hope into classrooms across the nation and continued to bestow the gift of believing in a child with special needs thus influencing the education and improving the quality of life for many other special people.

I know that for over 40 years, Lynda has been my inspiration and motivation to advocate for the rights and needs of children and adults with special needs of all exceptionalities.  Never give up expecting the world to provide for the needs of our special children.  Where there is hope there is energy to keep fighting for people who can often not speak for themselves.

Never stop believing... especially during this season of love when we celebrate the birth of our Lord who gave the ultimate gift for our hope for eternal life.  He believes in us and was willing to die to secure our futures with Him.  All you have to do is believe and give your heart to Christ.  He will give you eternal hope to us as His children who are all in need of the grace He gives freely when we truly believe.

Have a joyous Christmas season.  You have someone who believes in you!