Miracles are found here

Jan. 23, 2011

Have you ever witnessed a miracle?

The first thing that comes to many people’s mind is the birth of a child. It’s a special and blessed event, but unless it’s from a couple who was thought to be barren, these special days are shared with many others all over the world.

It’s a miracle to be cured from a disease such as cancer, but it’s hard to be a witness to the event of being cured, especially if an operation is needed and the recipient is sedated when it takes place. Most of the time it’s only from a report or test results after the fact that everything looks good and no complications have arisen.

When doctors tell parents that their child will never be able to perform a certain task or everyday basic need, the impact can be devastating. For some, hope is gone in an instant, while others take it upon themselves to prove the doctor wrong; hoping against hope, challenging the odds that somehow their faith will overcome.

We received news early that Nathan would never walk, never talk, and we should just put him in a wheelchair and be happy with him. Annette never saw that for an option and sought to build a team to help us overcome the odds, whatever that would take.

I didn’t realize it at the time, and it took me until this week to learn how spoiled my family has been. We have had wonderful therapists for OT and PT, and continue to receive great services. Most of these people were assigned to Nathan’s case not knowing him, the condition or expected result, but each dedicated themselves to giving him (and Annette and myself as well) the best chance to go as far as possible.

The often overlooked are the teachers and staff at Nathan’s school, who continue to find ways to make things work for him. They seek out ways to engage him, and teach him without Nathan knowing that he was working or learning in the process. Many times this would mean creating a parallel set of lesson plans, allowing less severe classmates to have a direct way to learn. They would then adapt a similar way for Nathan to participate, creating special tools, modifying activities making sure he was an active part of the class/team and meeting his skill set.

Nathan’s not the only one receiving this kind of special treatment. Every student has their own IEP (Individualized Education Program) but that doesn’t show the hours of preparation and special care each child receives to do things others may have given up on.

I am convinced that anyone who wants to witness a miracle needs to spend time volunteering in a special needs school (not a special-needs classroom in an ordinary school, but a school dedicated to improve the lives of special-need kids.) For the past three school years I’ve taken Nathan to and from school and made a connection to some of his classmates.

I’ve seen a wheelchair bound child, learn to crawl, and now walk completely on his own. Now they’re teaching him to go up/down stairs. Another mute child with a treach tube, at the mercy of a full-time nurse to siphon him several times a day, now breathes and eats on his own (without a treach and without a nurse) who now proudly states, “Good morning Mr. Kevin. I’m here at school today.” When you add all in the things Nathan can do and I almost expect to see a sign on the door that announces Miracles in Process Inside.

Nathan is getting to the age where Annette and I have to make decisions about his education for next year. He’s becoming “Kindergarten Age” but trying to decide what’s best for him is nothing short of difficult. We’ve met with the school district where we have been told they "will do everything the State Law requires," but how can that compare? We may have another year at our current school, but with administrative changes over the past year leave us wondering what type of place it will be six-months from now.

We have several school tours lined up, and a lot of butterflies building, as deadlines approach for registration loom close. We’re at a place where we want to take those we’ve worked with in our pocket and not let anyone else take them away. There will be a lot of praying and trusting that we’ll be led to the best choice.

Many miracles don’t happen overnight, and many of the people who help to make these things happen, never get credit for the amazing work they have done. If you’re ever lucky enough to be surrounded by such people, take in some of the radiance they share, and you’ll be touched in your own way as well. Never take for granted the work of those fighting to help others overcome what specialists have said couldn’t be done.

Alas we say a big thank you to the teachers and therapists at Nisonger Center at OSU. May Nathan’s and his schoolmates' success also be a sign of the great work you’ve done. Without all of you, I may have missed my chance to see a miracle, but because of all of you, everyone can see the things you saw they had inside.

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