Yea that’s right! I mean you!

To you, the mom who just took your kiddo (or kiddos) to the store and barely survived the breakdowns of your special needs kid. You, who made it through the rude stares and tisks from those “perfect” moms who have no clue what your day looks like. High five to you!!

To you, the mom whose child has never said a word. You, the mom who has never heard “Mom” or “I love you” or “thank you, Mom.” To you, the mom who, even though your child can’t speak, you know exactly what he’s saying, or needs, or wants. To the mom who has a thousand conversations with your nonverbal child. High five to you!!

To you, the mom who sits here and reads this as your eyes get heavy and you want so badly to sleep but you know that’s not happening yet again tonight. To the mom who is running on so little sleep that your body is literally exhausted. To the mom who doesn’t know if you can make it through another sleepless night but yet you continue to night after night. High five to you!!

To you, the mom who has become a taxi and whose whole life is consumed with driving to therapy and doctors appointments. High five to you!!

To you, the mom who spends more time on the phone than any human should have to. Calling insurance to fight for that piece of equipment that your child DOES need to have a good quality of life. To you, the mom who has to call and schedule all those therapy and doctors appointments. Who has to repeat your child’s information and life story so many times you could say it in your sleep. High five to you!!

To you, the mom who is sitting in a hospital room, in a stiff hospital chair beside your child’s bed as you pray for God to protect your baby!! You, the mom who doesn’t know what the next moment will bring. You, the mom who the hospital staff knows by name. High five to you!!

To you, the mom who just watched your child accomplish a HUGE milestone. Whose smile is so big people would think you won the lottery. To you, the mom who is so filled with pride right now that you literally feel like you might explode! High five to you!!

To you, the mom who is about to enter yet another IEP meeting only to be beat up and torn down hearing everything your child can’t do. You, the mom who gets in the car after the meeting and the tears fall. You, the mom who has to fight to get the services your child needs from the school. High five to you!!

To you, the mom who stands in the shower and let’s the tears fall and silently cries because this life is hard. This life isn’t fair for your child. This life is a constant uphill struggle. It’s a marathon that doesn’t end. High five to you!!

Moral of the story: This special needs mom life is not easy. Most days it’s hard…very hard! But you’re not in this alone! We’ve all got this! Some days it may not feel like it. Some days It may feel like the world is falling down around us. But there are those days that we feel like we are walking on the clouds. Use those days to push through the tough ones. Because when life knocks us down to our knees we always come out of it standing tall! So high five to that!!