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“Boadie!” “Beedou!” … Ahh!!
Imagine.
The mother of two young boys, twins, looks on
while the toddlers play side by side in their family room.
Content that the boys are keeping themselves out of
mischief, she leaves the room. In only moments, the mother
hears the boys energetically yelling at one another.
“Boadie!” yells one of the boys. “Beedou!”
yells the other. On and on goes the argument.
“Boadie!”
“Beedou!”
“Boadie!”
“Beedou!”
Finally, realizing that the argument is not
about to resolve itself, the boys’ mother goes into the
family room to see two wee noses pressed firmly against the
window.
“Boadie!”
“Beedou!”
“Boadie!”
“Beedou!”
The mother, perplexed, goes over to the
window, looks outside, and immediately perceives the object
of their argument.
“Ahh!” she says. “Birdie!”
One winged creature, three perspectives – all
different, all valid.
Perspective is a very personal and individual
thing. A crisp, wintry day may be to one person a
“beautiful, sunny, sparkling day,” while to someone else it
may be “too bright and bone-chilling.” Same day, different
perspective – neither wrong, just different.
These Introspectives are intended to provide
a very personal and individual perspective. They are
intended to describe various moments in time when various
events, emotions and experiences made an impact on me. The
Introspective is not intended to convey the viewpoint of all
parents who have sons and daughters who live with
disabilities. I do not wish to imply that all people share
my perspective.
Like everyone else, I have, day to day, many
opportunities to observe, participate and form opinions, and
I live my life in a way that reflects those opinions and how
I perceive my world. My opinions and perceptions, and those
of others, are, hopefully, the basis of discussion,
discovery and growth. As I open my mind to what others have
to share, I hope that they, in turn, will open themselves to
me. Inevitably, a dialogue will result, inspiring me to
write about things about which I am most passionate.
In each Introspective, I open myself up and
expose my passions for all to see. I open myself to both
criticism and acclaim. Over the years, I have been inspired
to keep sharing by the many people who have called me to
tell me how my sharings have moved them.
The Introspective is my experience, my
emotion, my perception. By writing these pieces, I have
hoped to achieve several things. I have hoped to somehow
touch other parents who are experiencing similar things, but
who may feel they are alone in their experience. I have
hoped to inspire others to share their stories. I have hoped
to provide a glimpse into my life to people who want to
understand what it is like to be a member of a family with
special needs. And on a very personal level, by putting my
thoughts down on paper, I have hoped to promote my own
personal growth.
My opinions are my own. Your opinions are
your own and may very well differ from mine. However, a
differing opinion or perspective is not a bad thing – it
provides an opportunity for discussion and growth.
I do not pass judgment on an opinion
different from my own. I open myself to understanding what
others perceive and want to share. And then, like the mother
of the two young boys, I come to understand their message.
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