Only when it hits home

This year's President's Challenge beneficiaries include several charities and organizations that take care and assist those who are intellectually disabled and with special needs. As the annual star charity fund raising will be held in a week's time, I have caught several television info-slots and programs that reach out asking for assistance and understanding.

I have never paid much attention to these events. They have been held for several years, but I have conveniently let it slide away from my consciousness. For the past couple of weeks, as I watched these programs, I am reminded that these disabilities suffered by those with special needs are lifelong. These disabilities will continue past maturity where they will be compounded by old age. As I see scenes of these older folks coping through the difficulties and at times doing so while smiling, I feel very humbled. What we take for granted in our day to day life are often obstacles for them. Yet, they are able to get through each day. Some times they do it with more grace than I do.

So why am I more mindful of their plight this year? I am no saint and I admit that it is due to this little bundle of joy that is my nephew. He turned one in August, and he has Down's syndrome. As I hold on to him, I'm aware of how seemingly small he is. He is much smaller than babies his age and is hard of hearing. When he gets a little older and bigger and stronger, he'll undergo a procedure(s) to sort out the various health issues he has. I will not equate his plight to that of those I have seen or read recently in the run up to the star charity event. However, I will say that I am in a better place to empathize. I know my family and I are very lucky in having the finances to be in the position to ensure that his medical needs are attended to. We're very lucky to be able to learn how to assist him. And, most of all, we're lucky to have the sweet kid smile and laugh and stick out his arms for a hug each time we're near him.