Call to Action
As we all send our kids to school, myself included, one thing I know for sure is how lucky we all are. First to have children, and second to watch every single moment of their growth and wonder.
Now - think for a moment - if you have a healthy perfect child - what it would be like if your child wasn’t healthy and perfect. What would you do? How would you handle it! You would of course, love that child like no other - I mean it really shouldn’t make a difference. They are all God’s children, and you are blessed with the gift of that child.
I have just received my third letter required for my certification for the Special Kids program - which helps photographers work with children of special needs in photography sessions, by educating them the various challenges. I was so overwhelmed by all of the letters of recommendation, and of course by the children themselves. My awareness came when after photography a client"s child for 2 years, they told me he was diagnosed with Autism. I was in sheer disbelief and truly denied it until I had another session with him and it was
clarified by his parents. His name is Ethan Arcienega and he is such a beautiful boy. His parents thought they had a beautiful little healthy baby boy at birth - and they did - and yet 2 years later Autism attacks? How can that be? Of course we want to question and I can’t even imagine what Raquel and Bill go through on a daily basis, but one’s things for sure - they still have a beautiful healthy baby who is now a little boy - and while he has some challenges he is still Ethan!
SOOO - my call to action is - to do something for someone who has a child with special needs. The special need can be anything from a hearing loss to Autism, Downs, delayed child development - any challenge that takes extra energy (more than the norm) for the parent’s to raise that child. Just one thing. What can you do? Here are some suggestions:
Donate to a cause - here is a link to donate to Autism - Raquel is trying to raise at least $500.00 - that’s not a lot of money!
Austism Speaks
If they are a friend, offer to do a chore for them, or help watch their child.
Give the parent a certificate to dinner or a spa to get a break so they are more energized for their child.
Offer a playdate to get to know that child better, and the family.
Make a card and send it to them to let them know you are thinking of them.
If you are a photographer - offer a special session
I could go on and on, but I would love for everyone who reads this to do something -just one thing. You don’t have to - but if you do - tell me about it - I would love to hear!
And give all your children an extra kiss tonight!
Featured above are 12year old Bayley and his mom Jennifer, and 3 year old Ethan. Both boys have Autism.
