Accepting the Challenge

My little girl is having her 5th surgery in 5 years. She's tough. She takes life as it comes. She doesn't let anything stop her. She does it with a smile. She has changed my life and taught me what are the real challenges in life.

People seem to always be complaining about their present situation. How their life is full of challenges and they would have been more happier if "______". Try finding one person who has never had challenges in his/her life. "There's a story there." ~ Steel Magnolias.

Life will always have challenges.  Life will always be full of challenges for every person in whatever section of society he belongs to. Rich, poor, happy, sad, chunky, skinny, challenged, addiction, marriage, single, divorced, widowed, infertility, hearing, non-verbal, smart, average, late, irresponsible, ..... everyone has something that they need to overcome.  My little girl continues to overcome her challenges because of a TEAM of people that encourage her progress. We all have an issue, so why aren't we honest, open and surround ourselves with people that are supportive to our success? Accept the challenge.

More challenges you encounter more successful you become. For a person overcoming one challenge, he becomes mentally ready for other one in course of which life gives him greater rewards for solving those challenges. You go to another level by stretching your comfort zone a little further. My little one has proven this to us over and over.

Every challenge gets an opportunity.  Every challenge a person acquires in life presents him/her with two kinds of opportunities. . . one is personal growth and other one financial growth. It can be a challenge to spot these opportunities leading to personal and material development. You have to be open and willing to accept the challenge. Overcome the challenge.

Recognizing opportunity.  The best way to recognize an opportunity is to get guidance and learn from the same people who have been through your path. They are your best teachers. My little one opened my eyes to needing experts in my life. I couldn't take on her challenges without them. I needed to follow their path, let them set the path so that she could be successful. When I came across a home business opportunity, my eyes were already open so I was able to accept the challenge, accept the guidance and be successful.

Putting what you learn into action.  The important part of learning in life is to put whatever one has learned into action. Without action all the strategies of life have no meaning. So if you want to profit in your life, mentally as well as financially start from today to put into action whatever good things learned from life!!

Julie Webster
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McKenzie's 5

5 years ago, I was given the most precious gift ~ McKenzie Raye.  I had waited my whole life for this baby but had no idea just how much this little one would change my life.  Her entrance into the world was a rocky one.  She was whisked off to the NICU with daddy hot on their heels.  She was 7lbs and 7oz ~ 100% fighter.  McKenzie was born with an unnamed chromosome disorder.  She has challenges but almost always has a smile on her face.  There are some really tough days when you are the parent of a child with special needs.  More doctors than you care to juggle.  More therapy appointments than can possibly be scheduled in a week.  Sleepless nights either because they are awake or you are awake waiting to hear a noise.  You have to learn how to navigate questions, comments and looks, and accept a completely different way of life than the stuff you imagined.

The great thing about having a child with special needs is that you find the best doctors.  You are taught physical, occupational, speech, and other types of therapy.  You become very organized ~ because your priorities change. You are able to navigate questions, comments and looks ~ sometimes with grace ~ sometimes with sarcasm!  You welcome a completely different way of life.

The best part... you find people that love their children for everything they are and are not.  Parents that truly celebrate each and every milestone. People with huge hearts that would do absolutely anything for your child.  It's never about where you live, the car you drive, your job title, how many vacations you take... it's about waiting for that first step, that first word, sorting colors, coloring for more than 10 seconds, grabbing your hand to communicate their wants, signing "more" when swinging and listening to the most awesome giggle in the world. 

I love you

Happy Birthday McKenzie!!! 

10 Reasons to Give Thanks for Your Child with Special Needs

1.  You never have to worry about worrying over nothing.  Let other parents obsess over the frivolous and the shallow. Your child will make sure you always have something to worry about.

2.  Developmental delays = more years of hugs, kisses, and the little-kid sweetness.  I love being able to still cuddle McKenzie and at her rate of growth I'll always be able to cuddle McKenzie.

3. Maybe someday, Ty Pennington will come build you a house!  Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition loves families of children with special needs.  Your little one may be your ticket to a lavish living space!  Although in our case, daddy built us that living space... I need Ty to finish it!

4.  Any little milestone is a cause to throw a party.  Your child works so hard for every step, sit-up and syllable, giving you lots to be excited about.

5.  Every day is a learning experience.  Some days it's a pop quiz, some days it's a crash course, but life with your child is always and education.  Since becoming a mommy I've also become a therapist, doctor, nutritionist, transit authority, lawyer...

6.  You have the privilege of putting several doctor's children through college.  Someone once asked me how I had a certain doctor's cell number.  I simply replied "It's one of the perks of paying his mortgage and car payment."

7.  You meet a better class of parent in waiting rooms and support groups  Your child frees you from having to hang out with those snotty parents on the playground, and gives you entry into an exclusive club of people who are sensitive, sarcastic, and sure of their priorities.

8.  You have an iron-clad escape excuse for any occasion.  You'd love to stay at that boring party, crowded event, endless church services, but, you know, your child just can't tolerate it.  It also moves you to the front of the line at Disney!  I overheard a little boy tell his mother "Thank goodness we have her with us!" as they approached the long line.

9.  Coming up with new strategies every day keeps your brain sharp.  They say doing crossword puzzles helps ward off Alzheimer's.  Figuring out your child's schedules and treatments and lessons and rights and restrictions must easily provide twice the protection.

10. Your blessings will always be fully counted.  You will never take for granted a gift that your child brings to you.  Not ever.

I found this awesome article written by Terri Mauro (http://specialchildren.about.com) and had to post with a little of my own experiences. Thank you Terri for this great list!