Motherhood - Special Needs Archives

Anyone who knows me will tell you that one of my favorite songs is Salt-N-Pepa, None of Your Business. My favorite line in the entire song is “opinions are like assholes and everybody’s got one.” That phrase has been all too true over the last few months as my Facebook news feed has spilled over with friends posting their Medicaid stereotypes. It is as if they are overnight experts in Medicaid recipients and funding. The truth is they have no idea what they are talking about.

Why is this an issue? Simple question with a simple answer! Being a special needs mom has taught me that our private insurance in which we pay ungodly amounts of money for – even though it’s employer sponsored – is essentially meaningless in the special needs world. The caps on therapy services and minimum payments on Durable Medical Equipment (DME) has left us with vendors who refuse service unless we have Medicaid or pay out of pocket. The result? We now receive TEFRA Medicaid for my son and know its importance in the special needs world.

On more than a few occasions, I have taken the liberty to educate these narrow minded souls on exactly what Medicaid is and who all it covers. Yet for those who continue to spout their ignorant bullshit, let me take this time to provide you a little insight and explain why I wish you would shut the fu – I mean fudge – up.

Continue reading “Your Medicaid stereotypes can kiss my ass”

Since beginning my special needs journey, I’ve learned to adjust to the comments and actions of therapists, doctors, and other well-intended people. Therapists frequently remind me that the special needs journey is “not a sprint, but a marathon.” This makes sense and is usually a nice reminder. At well checks, I receive a paper handout of the quintessential milestones that my child should be able to do for his age. It’s as if the physicians completely forget that my child is disabled and delayed. Even worse though is when strangers say hello to my child and wait for his response. Since I live in the southeast region of the US where silence is taken for rudeness, I immediately blurt out that my child is nonverbal. However, through all of this, hearing – special needs children are given to special moms – is what drives me crazy.

God gives special needs children to special moms:

In the south, also known as the bible belt, God is often at the center of conversations. Therefore, it is typically stated or implied that God gives special needs children to special moms. It is also considered inauspicious to question God’s actions. However, I find myself wondering how a God who is so loving and forgiving could take away my child’s ability to do things that come so easily for others.

Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful beyond words that my son is here. And for the record, he is perfect in his own way. I just wonder why my son has to go through this hardship to begin with. If it is God who decides then why would He make my child suffer? Why make any child suffer? Is it because I’m special? No. In fact, it’s safe to say, Hell No! I know that God didn’t plague my son with Cerebral Palsy because I’m a “special” mom.

Continue reading “You don’t have to be “special” to have a special needs kid”