Hi Everyone!
This week’s babybites theme is parenting children with specials needs. As many of you know, I was a learning specialist for many years so this topic is especially near and dear to my heart. One of the most incredible speakers on this topic is a woman named Meg Zucker (born with a rare genetic condition herself) whose inner and outer beauty, intellect and important life messages are transformational and inspiring for all parents. Here is a little about Meg and her story:
“I am a wife, mother to three children, Wall Street lawyer and woman who happened to be born with ectrodactyly, a genetic condition where I only have one digit on each hand and foot. Despite my quite different appearance, I feel and experience life as able-bodied as everyone else. My life has been further enhanced by having children with differences. Both of our boys have ectrodactyly, and we adopted our daughter. Now, in my early forties, I am strong, secure and successful. Yet to get here, I’ve faced a lifetime of awkward and ignorant comments, stares and assumptions from others about me and my children.
My life’s blessing is the following: I have a distinctive insight into how each and every one of us (and our children) have traits that make us unique and different. Some, like me, must wear their differences on their sleeves, while others can try to bury them. But we can’t escape them or control how others view us. From my life experience, however, I can offer the skills to understand how and why we are all judged (and judge each other), and more importantly, how best we can strengthen ourselves to overcome the insecurities and harm produced from these judgments.”
To read more about Meg and how she answers such difficult questions as, “**What is the most important thing to remember when parenting a child with differences? How can we teach our children to embrace other people’s differences?**” please [click here](http://www.babybites.com/11/10/hide-it-don%e2%80%99t-flaunt-it-celebrating-a-world-of-differences/).
Here’s to Meg Zucker’s definition of true beauty: “True beauty reveals itself in those who finally understand the qualities they possess that make them shine.”
Best,
Heather
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