Once upon a time.

Once upon a time on March 5th 1995...

a beautiful baby girl was born. Greer Kathleen. 

Beautiful in every single way. 

 

When Greer was  2, her parents found out she was autistic.

From that moment on, their lives changed forever. In every single way. In every single way that most of us take for granted. 

This beautiful baby girl and her family were about to embark on a journey that was full of pain, of heartache, of frustration, of financial desperation, of health issues, of challenges that most of us will never know in our lifetime.

Being a parent myself, I know that I only want the best for my children. I wanted a happy, healthy childhood for them. I wanted  a fulfilling education that met all of their needs, intellectually ,physically and emotionally. I want a future that is bright.

Of course. Duh. Of course, that's what they deserve. All children.

Afterall, we're all human beings, weren't we all babies once....born into a life full of opportunities?

Then how come, how come Greer's parents have had to fight for the last 13 years for basic care and programs for Greer.

Their battles started early and have escalated through the years. They have worked tirelessly to get the best for Greer. They've had many many meetings with various schools, and government officials. They've done the research. They've written the letters. They've had to fight to get every little thing for Greer.

As a parent, I've never had to fight for anything for my children. I just take it for granted that my children will get the best education and opportunities. I take it for granted that I don't have to lobby the government, or write letters or plead for funding.

And I don't have to live day after day with the physical and emotional needs of an autistic child.

I love Greer and her family. Greer is a beautiful soul who has given so much joy to everyone around her. She is smart, and sweet.

And she is on the verge of losing funding for the ABA program that is vital for her physical and emotional well being. When I say verge I mean by tomorrow.

Cutting Greer's (and many other childrens') funding is not acceptable to me. And it shouldn't be acceptable to anyone else.

In my opinion, the government is saying that one person's life is more valuable than anothers'. NO family should have to go through what Greer's family has had to. No person should be treated with such disrespect.

Greer is a human being. Just like me, just like you. Just like the politicians who have made this choice to cut the funding.

I wonder...I wonder if the person who ultimately made this decision would think differently if he/she was directly affected by this funding cut. I wonder if their son/daughter or grandchild's life would mean enough to change the decision.

There shouldn't even be a question of cutting the funding.

Greer deserves the best ,in every single way.

Because in every single way, she is a human being, just like me and just like you.

Let us reflect on what is truly of value in life. What gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the basis of that.- The 14th Dalai Lama

Thankyou for reading this, it is very important to me.

 

Comments

[Jill]

Thank you so much Kimmy... xox

[Connie]

Its important to all of us, well said Kim!

[Lori]

Well said ~ well written ~ really makes one stop and think. Thank you for that.

[Tracy]

Thank you Kim. You are a lovely soul to think about our beloved Greer and of course my sister, Jill and her husband Dave. They have always worked so hard to do the best for Greer. Thank you for voicing so eloquently what we are all thinking. Bless you.

[Lorene]

That was beautiful Kim! Well done. Let's hope it makes a difference.

[Carol]

A very thought provoking post Kim. My heart always sinks when I hear about the government cutting public spending and despite the fact that I am in the U.K, the same thing happens here, it's always the stuff that's needed the most that is affected. The lack of value for human quality of life is shocking to me.

Carol x

[~b~]

I have no idea how i landed on this site... oh wait it was blog paste left on a forwarded email ..doesnt matter... but what a lovely site ...reminds me of a electronic version of the places we always want to get back to in our minds..only you have captured the beauty to share.... very impressive... thank you