"Disabled?" Think Again!

We were allowed to go outside to play today.

And it really got me thinking.

What is the definition of "disabled?"

According to the Miriam Webster Dictionary it is:

disabled: adj.-incapacitated by illness or injury; also, physically or mentally impaired in a way that substantially limits activity especially in relation to employment or education.


The more I have gotten to know Vi, the more it seems this definition plain old doesn't fit her.

At. ALL.

Yes, she has cerebral palsy. Yes, she walks her own little Vi walk because of it...but even that has become almost unnoticeable to me as I have spent more time with her.

More and more, I see what she CAN do. Her diagnosis doesn't define her, the way it did in my mind when she was just a photo and a description.  The way I used to worry about how much assistance she might need, how would she get around, what would "cerebral palsy" mean for our family....that has just melted away. She is so much more than those words and that diagnosis, and with her determined little spirit I honestly doubt there is anything she could not do if she put her mind to it.

Every day she shows me. She teaches me. I know this girl is going to impact so many lives, in ways we couldn't have even imagined.



Besides showing off her mad climbing skills, she also showed off her sweet sharing skills.

I brought Vi a "bubble wand", you know, the big tube of bubbles with an extra big bubble-blower. She was super excited when I took it out of my bag! I had learned from our first bubble incident that our girl was perfectly capable of managing the bubbles on her own. All I had to do was untwist the top and she was good to go! She was always very mindful of where the container was, and didn't spill a single drop. Of course, her friends could see her out on the playground and shouted repeatedly for her to come over and share. She was thrilled to go over and share her new toy with everyone (although she didn't like getting bumped in to, she almost falls over at one point and tells everyone to back up! So she can share AND set boundaries, Yay!) I was so proud of her, for sharing her little piece of happiness with all her friends. Even more impressive, none of the children tried to snatch the container away, they were just happy to let her blow the bubbles as long as they could be near them.

At first, the nannies tried to line Vi's groupa up on a small bench, to let them watch. However, anyone who has ever been around a group of 4-5 year olds with bubbles will be able to tell you....that didn't last long.

I love the video I am about to share, for one reason: It could be ANY preschool class ANYWHERE. This is simply a group of children, enjoying the simple pleasure of bubbles the same way my Bug's class might enjoy bubbles. Shrieking, running, smiling.  I think a lot of people worry about adopting an "older" child, and for most "older" is anything other than infant.  But look at these children....they are just, well, children! Yes, they are 4 and 5 years old and many might think they are "too old" to be adopted....but watch this video and decide for yourself. They are still so young, still sweet, still wanting desperately to be loved. Wanting a Mama to show up with bubbles (and hugs and kisses!), to make their world whole.