Humans of NY: Audrey

 

 

https://www.humansofnewyork.com/post/642224297733144600/i-came-in-with-a-plan-i-read-all-the-parenting

 

For my Humans of NY story, I read a piece about a mother whose child was diagnosed with special needs. In the beginning of the story she talks about how her daughter, Audrey, was born perfectly normal, but on her 2-month checkup the doctors explained that she had a genetic mutation. The doctors never described her as “disabled” or “special needs” so the reality of her situation didn’t register until Kindergarten when Audrey's teachers described her condition as “severe.” Afterwards, the mom talks about how she came to cope with accepting Audrey’s situation. At first she resented the life she had and believed her life was either “good, or its not.” This reflects an extremely emotional situation where many parents wonder why their child happened to have the mutation instead of so many other children who don’t. Coming to accept the difficulties in raising a child with special needs and recognizing that regardless of their situation you would always love them. I really liked hearing this story because it was so human and addresses the fears and struggles of parenting a child with disabilities.

I think the purpose of this narrative was to encompass these difficulties as well as showcase the resiliency of motherhood. Women and parents in general can withstand so much pain and sacrifice for their child while only wanting the best for them. Audrey’s mother’s love is so evident throughout the story and evokes an empathy in the reader for all that she’s sacrificed. I also really like the pictures included, from when Audrey was first born and they had no idea about her condition to a developing toddler. You can see Audrey has walking aids, something the mother never mentions, but this adds to the story and makes the situation more real.

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