One Smile

I know that I’ve written a few times about the special bond between parents who have children in the hospital, however, I couldn’t help but dive a little bit further into a secret society of moms who have children with special needs.

Yesterday while leaving an appointment at Mac Kids (all is good) I noticed a mama of two beautiful children who just happened to be in wheelchairs. While I was walking towards our vehicle she looked at me and smiled, I smiled back and carried on putting Ladybug in her car seat.  As odd to some as it may sound when we looked at each other and then at each others beautiful kiddos and smiled I felt like I had made an instant friend who I could talk to about anything.

This isn’t the first time this has happened either. Last year while waiting to see Ladybugs orthopedic surgeon I opted to sit outside the clinic as it was jam-packed with kids and parents.  Sitting next to me was the most beautiful young women ever. She had gorgeous long wavy red hair, stylish clothes, a beaded necklace, cool wheelchair and feeding tube. When I looked at her I saw Ladybug in 10-15 years. The conversation with her mom started with the wait time to see the doc.  Within the 1/2 hour we sat next to each other we talked about everything from feeding tubes, relationships, different types of therapy options and on and on and on. I felt such a connection to this mama that when it was time for her to leave we exchanged email addresses, hugged and I cried. It was one of the first moments I felt like I was a part of a very not so secret, secret society.

A society where it’s perfectly acceptable to ask a stranger what they think about the government provided therapies or lack there of for our children,  how much their wheelchair conversion van cost or how has their relationship held up over the years. Yep, that’s right!  I have asked all of these questions to women who 5 minutes before the “I know what you are going through smile”  was exchanged we were complete strangers.

Only another tubie mama can relate to and laugh with you when you tell them you were cleaning formula off of the walls and ceiling. Only another mama of a child who is unable to speak will tear up when you tell them your daughter is now waving to her friends during the “hello everybody” song at the Library story-time.  Only a mama whose child is in a wheelchair knows how infuriating it is to have to bring your child out-of-town to go to a wheelchair accessible school or playground.

All it takes is that one warm-hearted I know what you’re going through smile from a complete stranger to uplift you and brighten your day.

Thank you J* for letting me peek inside your very cool multi wheelchair accessible van, for being an amazing mama to those 4 children and for inspiring not only this blog post but me as well.

Tags: Mac Kids, Smile