Back To School When Your Child Has A Disability – Finding Cooper’s Voice

I could pretend it doesn’t. I could trick myself but what’s the point. Who does that help? Honesty helps. Feeling helps.

I stood in a store tonight picking out a few new shirts and shorts for my incoming freshman. As I stood there, I watched a gaggle of boys run through the section.

They talked about school tomorrow. Who was driving who. I noticed their hair. What they were wearing. And how they talked. They were wearing shirts from the school they will be going too. The same as my boy.

In a different world they could have been my son’s friends.

I grabbed four shirts for him. I don’t really know what is cool so I guessed. And giggled at how short the shorts are these days for men.

I grabbed socks for him and I thought about the self injuring he’s been doing to his feet.

I picked out a water bottle that I hope he can drink out of. They can be tricky sometimes.

And a thermos for his chicken nuggets. The only food he has ever brought in his school lunch.

I labeled everything with his name. Because he can’t tell anyone what is his.

And I thought about how if someone finds his bag will they know who he is?

I’m going to write an email now to his new teacher. I’m going to explain how he communicates and what his triggers are and that he has money in his lunch account if he wants a cookie.

Please protect him.

Please be patient with him.

Please be nice to him.

Please include him.

Please believe in him.

Please deliver him back to me safely.

It just hits differently.

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook.

Read more blog posts on Finding Cooper Voice here.