Why Parents of Children with Special Needs Are the Lucky Ones – Part One

I’ve often heard the word “lucky” tossed around in ways that make me think about what luck really means. People talk about winning the lottery, getting a promotion, or going on a dream vacation, but for me, luck looks a little different. Raising my daughter, Renna, has shown me that parents of children with special needs are, in fact, the lucky ones—though it may not always feel that way.

Shifting the Idea of “Luck”

When I first became a mom, I envisioned the typical journey: milestones like walking, talking, and school. But Renna’s path was different. She was born with Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, and as we navigated the early days, I started to realize that luck isn’t about everything going perfectly. Instead, luck is the strength you find in moments of hardship, the joy in the smallest victories, and the love that grows in ways you never expected.

The Strength You Never Knew You Had

When I think about how far Renna and I have come, it’s impossible not to notice how much I’ve grown, too. Raising a child with special needs requires a type of strength I never knew I had. I’ve had to become creative, resourceful, and patient in ways that most people don’t experience. The emotional strength it takes to get through a hard day is something I’ve had to develop over time. It wasn’t easy, but it’s also been the most rewarding part of being her mom.

Celebrating the Small Wins

We don’t always celebrate the big milestones. Sure, there are celebrations for things like graduation or awards, but for us, it’s the small wins that mean everything. For example, Renna didn’t sit up independently until she was two years old, and when she did, it felt like the world shifted. The first time she took steps on her own, or when she accomplishes something that might seem small to others, but for us, it’s monumental. These tiny victories are where the real luck lies. They show me how resilient Renna is and how much we’ve been able to achieve together.

To be continued...