Dear Young Peers,

As you prepare for your new school year and buy all the things. Stocking up on the latest fashion, cute school supplies, uniforms, and mentally prepare for the schoolwork day. Might I humor you…

As a mom of a child with special needs I’d like to shed light on an area to focus on.

As you think about what you want to be when you grow up or which college you’d like to attend. For a hot second, think of the now. What you do today matters. Who you are today is important too, not just who you’ll become. While you plan for your future remember to be a kind human.

While you’re going through the day to day of life, school, clubs, sports. Remember your friends who might not be like everyone else. What does that even mean? They might do things out of the ordinary, or do things at different speeds, or might not speak well, or whatever unique thing they may portray.

Well friend, let me just tell you, they are dealing with so much internally and externally that it truly is impossible to know the depths of what it's like living with special needs. 

Have you ever felt lonely or been talked badly about? Do you remember how that felt? Well, some of your friends with special needs may feel like that most of the time. Not saying that they all do or all the time, but it does happen.

Adults and children with special needs desire the same needs just like everyone else. They need to feel loved, accepted, included, cared for, supported, safe and seen.

Some ways to be a good friend to someone living with special needs is to say hello, talk with them and get to know them, share a meal, invite them to a birthday party or hangout, be nice and kind, include them in school projects, remind others to not pick on them.

Whoever you decide to be today I have hope in you that you will choose to be a kind friend.

XO,

Minerva

P.S.: I pray you have the best school year this year and be nice and respectful to your teachers!

P.S.S.: Thank you for being a great friend to others with special needs. Your friendship means so much to them.

P.S.S.S.: Take a break from the phone and enjoy your life right now.