Earth Angels
We float around this universe constantly asking why? But it’s always about bad things. And even prior to having a disabled child I wondered, “why would an all-loving entity create a life for the entire life to be suffering?” I just couldn't fathom the reason. I couldn't understand why a life would be put on this earth to be in pain, to create stress for entire families, to essentially be in a world that doesn't want them.
Luckily for me, I’ve been tasked with finding out from as long as I can remember. When I was an elementary student (late 80s) I was in some type of study where they mixed special Ed students and us annoying overachievers to see if the special Ed students would benefit and what they didn't anticipate is ALL of us improved. (I’m assuming this was the beginning of how special Ed stopped being so segregated). At 10 years old I understood that I was a component to the disability world, I wasn't outside of it because I was “normal”.
So, through all of my work experience and my child, I've been gifted with the answer. These are the souls that choose to come here to teach true compassion. They can give you nothing tangible, they will never earn money for society or your family (in fact its a financial drain),and they will inconvenience people with being slow, having disruptive behaviors, just having the audacity of yelling, talking, and even LAUGHING at moments that disrupt our societies desire for silence.
The reason they are here is to challenge you and your heart. Most of us believe (across all religions) that there are some types of benevolent spirits that are here for us humans, angelic beings, if you will. Webster defines an angel as, “a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or an attendant usually benevolent spirit or guardian —often used without implication of belief in its supernatural character”. So if you're if you’re truly looking for one, all you need to do is find a disabled kiddo. They teach you how to care and love WITHOUT the expectation of a return reward. They’ve taught me how to communicate without words, (Because our language has the ability to harm when used incorrectly). They’ve given me the understanding that it is my RESPONSIBILITY to utilize my privileges (something as small as mobility) for the benefit and service of OTHERs, not just to advance myself.
And, it’s true what they say-mothers of disabled children are warriors. And, I mean that literally. When a soul is looking for a mother to choose to guide them through life, we look for the ones who will compliment us. These angel souls are looking for the mothers who will fight for them, and in turn, help fight for the hearts of ALL humanity, for we are given the opportunity (as teammates of our children) to change hearts, change minds, and change tangible policies of schools and government. WE are the ones who fight to create the spaces in society so our children have the opportunity to interact with others and have a space to quietly change people's hearts, just by existing. This isn’t an assignment for the faint of heart. The world has become so harsh that somehow the “soft” ones, the mothers and angels, have had to battle now.
Next time you see as disabled child, look at them through a different lens-instead of seeing an invalid, see a teacher. See a soul that chose to come here to help YOU, not the other way around. The most important part of the definition of angel to me is where they exist without implication of their supernatural character. Superman ain’t coming to save your soul, but the kid in the wheelchair might.