Parenting is total joy intermixed with ups and downs as kids grow up, it is full of unconditional love, nurturing and challenges. Happy coming off age celebrations mark the kids reaching independence and stepping out into the big world as parents wave them off.
But, for some mums and dads child raising keeps going. Generally, this is because their kids were born with disabilities so significant, that it interferes with their ability to reach the stage of personal independence. For a small percentage of parents they are forever giving and caring for their kids long into adulthood. From my observations, it is all done happily and with selfless unconditional love. They are the parents who chose with the best of intentions not to put their grown up kids into care.
There is no celebratory birthday milestone marking their kids' entries into adulthood and independence. Instead, the parents quietly keep caring for their kids during their silver retirement years.
They live quietly under the radar away from the busy everyday world, seeing them now and then at the shops walking with their adult kids or pushing a wheelchairs.
Yesterday I saw an empty wheelchair on the beach. Having worked with parents of children with disability in my job in schools I must confess I went for a closer look, it was a happy sight.
Standing in front of the wheelchair I saw three heads bobbing in the water. I presumed it was a mum and dad with a child, teenager or adult with a disability enjoying an ocean dip. Maybe, they were holidaying at one of the resorts or perhaps they live nearby on the Sunshine Coast. So glad they were enjoying themselves.
Very shortly afterwards I saw them come out of the ocean and head up a beach exit. The adult aged daughter was able to walk with a little help from her mum as dad pulled the chair along behind him. Here is a photo of the little family taken very surreptitiously of course.
Unexpected sightings is the beauty of this not very populated surf beach. Maybe, I will get to see them on the beach again and have a chance to say hello. In the meantime I wish them a happy Christmas season.
Thank you @joanstewart for these wise words, they sprang to my mind.....
Enjoy the little ones they bring the life back into putting up decorations and essence of Christmas excitement.
Too many take it for granted that all will be fine, having friends with a child with special requirements, you start understanding how much it affects a family.
Some of our beaches have made wheelchair access easier, it is wonderful to see families all together enjoying holidays or a day out on the beach. Some special care homes arrange to take wheel chair bound people to the beach and it is a wonderful sight.
Later in life when your own children are adult, you cast your mind back to the absolute joy and innocence the young ones bring along with them.
!LUV
@joanstewart(4/5) gave you
We have charity organisations that arrange for children wheelchair to go to the beach with the Surf Lifesaver Clubs that occasionally become a part of the nightly News. But, I like the idea of wheelchair access on beaches as some little ones and big ones cannot walk at all let alone adults. There is a beach here at the Sunshine Coast that rolls out a long mat.
We don't have the bigger Government run homes anymore, they were all closed down. Now there are community homes in neighbourhoods for adults. But, if parents are not coping or the 'child' is highly aggressive and a danger to siblings they can hand the child with a disability over to Children Services.
Little ones are so much fun to watch with the decorations, but I had to save one of my pottery 'kings' when the 3 year old was having a pretend crash game!
Non profit organizations arrange floating wheelchair accessibility in our province, the mat system I believe is used in the Cape Province.
People are very much more aware that wheelchair bound folks also enjoy a dip in the ocean every now and again.
This would take effort on the part of the family/communities to arrange to get people to/from the beach after making arrangements/booking.
Our government to the best of my knowledge do not run many homes as was the case in previous years, most are NPO/NGO setup.
Thank you for you luv, you are very kind @joanstewart❤️
I truly understand the joy that parents feel when they send their children off to independence.
And I understand the never-ending love the parents with disabled children give to their children, even when they know, they may be no independence for the child for a while longer into their silver age.
I am happy that family you shared were having the time of their lives in the Beach. I wish them a happy Christmas too. Thanks for sharing such a memory behind your camera.
Nice to meet you @iskafan, I also think that parents who care for adult kids long term get tired and I truly hope they prepare them for life after they pass on. I didn't say this in the post as the topic did not allow for it but maybe another post to come. I love taking photos of real life situations. Wishing you well 🌻
I recently read about economic outpatient care, and even though this was related to Money, parents, and children, I think you are right.
Most parents dread the time when they will be no more to take care of their child. And I can bet a lot of them do not prepare their children for this period. They keep believing they will live longer which is a complete lie to oneself.
I sincerely hope that these parents will take into consideration this part of life no matter how difficult it is for them to accept it.
I hope that I'll get to read your post when you are going to discuss this factor. Cheers.
Cheers and thank you for the positive, I appreciate it.
It's my pleasure, ma'am. 😊
What a touching story @angiemitchell!
As parents, we never stop caring for our children in many different ways, be it just words of encouragement or being there for them when they're ill.
I salute those who keep on taking care of their children with disabilities in their silver years! I have family who have sacrificed much to care for a son with Aspergers Syndrome. He's my cousin, a lovely man with rare talents, but could never fend for himself but I think the extended family will loom after him once they're not around.
Thank you for sharing this with us @angiemitchell😇
I have a sister-in-law with a child now a young man of 25 with intellectual disability and autism who can never be left alone at any time either. Anne says that she is not ready to put into community housing. Her husband is the driver and so many days of the week they him to speech therapy, physiotherapy and any other appointment that will help him. They are very tired and even though they would love to travel they will not. One son and his partner are very good helping whenever they can to give them some time out.
Always a pleasure to share and have a lovely build up to Christmas, it is coming quickly.
Ho Ho Ho! @angiemitchell, one of your Hive friends wishes you a Merry Christmas and asked us to give you a new badge!
The HiveBuzz team wish you a Merry Christmas!
May you have good health, abundance and everlasting joy in your life.
To find out who wanted you to receive this special gift, click here!
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
Check out the last post from @hivebuzz:
Thank you @hivebuzz and have reblogged and joined in with the fun. Merry Christmas.⭐️
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎅