The future is now!
I've been thinking a lot about the future. There is so much unknown, so much that could be, might be, will be. It seems silly to think about where Emma will live when she is older, what she will do for work, how her life might be.... but the truth is, this is all the stuff I worry about.
There is a stigma that a person with a disability will be a burden - to their family and to society. The NDIS was brought in to bring a bit of equality to people with disabilities, so that they don't get left behind or disadvantaged because of something they have no control over. There have been many studies into early childhood education - and the result of that is that the first 5 years are CRUCIAL for EVERY child, regardless of their intellect, ability, or social standing. Emma will be receiving supports for the rest of her life, if needed, so that she isn't disadvantaged.
It is my hope that by putting in the hard yards now, it will set her up for an independent life. By spending the time, and the money, on her NOW, she will be less reliant on government help later on in life - able to participate in everything that someone her age would be doing. It is our dream that she lives on her own, has a career, and has meaningful relationships... if she chooses.
So I worry.
And then she wakes up in the morning, or from her nap. She reaches up those arms to be lifted from her cot. She giggles and plays and toddles and cries and gets frustrated and wants endless cheese sandwiches, and I kick myself for worrying so much. I kick myself for not enjoying her some days. I kick myself for wishing she was asleep so I can have a moment to myself.
One day she's not going to want to snuggle or play Incy Wincy Spider over and over. One day she's not going to take a million photos with me while we test out all of the new Snapchat filters. One day she's going to walk out of the door, confident in herself and I'm going to regret all that worrying about her future.
Her future is now. Today. With Snapchat filters and fake mascara and freckles. So damn cute!
There is a stigma that a person with a disability will be a burden - to their family and to society. The NDIS was brought in to bring a bit of equality to people with disabilities, so that they don't get left behind or disadvantaged because of something they have no control over. There have been many studies into early childhood education - and the result of that is that the first 5 years are CRUCIAL for EVERY child, regardless of their intellect, ability, or social standing. Emma will be receiving supports for the rest of her life, if needed, so that she isn't disadvantaged.
It is my hope that by putting in the hard yards now, it will set her up for an independent life. By spending the time, and the money, on her NOW, she will be less reliant on government help later on in life - able to participate in everything that someone her age would be doing. It is our dream that she lives on her own, has a career, and has meaningful relationships... if she chooses.
So I worry.
And then she wakes up in the morning, or from her nap. She reaches up those arms to be lifted from her cot. She giggles and plays and toddles and cries and gets frustrated and wants endless cheese sandwiches, and I kick myself for worrying so much. I kick myself for not enjoying her some days. I kick myself for wishing she was asleep so I can have a moment to myself.
One day she's not going to want to snuggle or play Incy Wincy Spider over and over. One day she's not going to take a million photos with me while we test out all of the new Snapchat filters. One day she's going to walk out of the door, confident in herself and I'm going to regret all that worrying about her future.
Her future is now. Today. With Snapchat filters and fake mascara and freckles. So damn cute!
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