The Special Ones

                When I was little, I remember looking at special needs individuals and feeling uncertain.  They were different, and at the time, that scared me.  As I’ve grown though, my perspective has changed.  I have a cousin who has downs syndrome, and I’ve met a lot of other people who have special needs.   They are some of the sweetest people on this earth.  If you’ve had the pleasure of being around any of them, you know exactly what I mean.  There is something about this group of people that sets them apart from the rest of us, and I believe that we can learn quite a lot from them.   From what I’ve experienced, associating with them can change us for the better.  They are not “freaks” or “weirdos.”  They are human beings like the rest of us, with their own unique personalities and lives.  Often, they are even better people than we are.  Because I’ve been blessed with opportunities to be around special needs individuals, I’ve come to realize something about this group of people.   I firmly believe that they - they are the special ones.

                Recently I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics.  I help with a softball team comprised mostly of adults, but with a few kids as well.  Though I’ve only been to a couple of practices so far, I have already grown to love the people on my team.  I don’t know what all of their disabilities are, but I know that each and every one of them is special.  They brighten my day, they make me smile, and their genuine love and excitement makes me want to come back and practice with them again and again.  Like any other person, they get frustrated when things don’t go well and smile brightly when something goes right.  They cheer each other on, they encourage one another, and they are very forgiving.  Welcoming and accepting are words that describe them too.  Two weeks ago most of them had never seen me in their lives.  Now, after three practices, they come up and talk to me right when I show up.  They tell me about their lives, about each other, about anything that’s on their minds.  It is so sweet and wonderful.  I’m pretty sure I’ve never made so many friends so fast.  Special needs individuals are accepting of everybody, no matter what.  I think we can all learn from that.

I love the perspective that people with special needs have towards life.  Many of them are children in the bodies of adults – mentally young, but physically old.  They get excited over simple things, upset over issues such as missing a turn or feeling tired; the simple things in life are their reality.  I love that about them.  It has taught me not to take anything for granted.  Throwing a softball, running around the bases – those are great adventures.  Getting a sunburn, seeing a bee – those are catastrophes.  To special needs individuals, the little things are a really big deal.  I think looking at life with this perspective shows us just how much we have to be grateful for and how much joy we can find in everyday life.  We can stand in a warm summer breeze, we can hear children laughing, we can follow our dreams…these are all things to be grateful for.  I think special needs individuals do a great job of appreciating the little things and in finding joy in what life has to offer.  If we were all like them, I don’t think we would take nearly so much for granted.

I feel truly blessed to know people who are part of this special and unique group.  I know that I am a better person because of the associations that I have with them, and that I have learned so much from their examples.  If you ever have an opportunity to be around someone with special needs, don’t let it pass you by.  You will never regret it.