‘She said, ‘I know I shouldn’t complain, because as you know…it could always be worse.’ Wait a second. What?’: Special needs mom says ‘my son is not your worst-case scenario’

“A while back, I was texting with a friend who was having some medical issues with her typical child. Lots of back and forth, and then it came. ‘I know I shouldn’t complain, because as you know…it could always be worse.’

I do know…whoa, wait a second. What? I have been stewing on this and thinking of what I should have said because I didn’t respond and say what I wished I would have.

We are not an example of ‘worse.’ My son should not come to mind when you think of ‘worse’ scenarios. Because we are anything but.

Yes, his life comes with challenges many will never have firsthand experience with. Yes, there are things about his disorder I would love to change. Yes, his life looks very different than most kids his age. Yes, there are countless experiences in life he will never get the chance to do.

But his existence, his life, is not worse. He is not ‘of poorer quality or lower standard; less good or desirable’ (Oxford dictionary).

He’s not your worst-case scenario. He’s not the bar of which to measure a ‘better’ life.

He’s amazing and knows how to manipulate a situation to get his way. He’s smart and loves to be read to all day long. He’s so loved and is starting to lean in for a kiss, which I can’t get enough of. He’s silly and loves to wrestle.

He is unequivocally incomparable. And that, my friends, is the complete opposite of worse.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Melissa Schlemmer of Forest Lake, Minnesota. You can follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube  for our best videos.

Read more from Melissa here:

‘Shhhh, just keep walking.’ You taught her NOT to see my son.’: Special needs mom urges ‘ask the questions’

‘We carry a heavy load. Our bags and purses are full. What’s even harder is going to bed and unloading our shoulders.’: Special needs mom says ‘there are plenty of beautiful extras we gladly carry’

‘Somewhere there’s a mom tired of picking up toys. Somewhere else, there’s a mom choosing her child’s first wheelchair.’: Special needs mom says ‘I’ll always be grateful for where we are’

‘The neurologist called. ‘I’m 90% sure your son has Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation. Do not google it.’: Special needs mom urges, ‘Life can be beautiful, even when it doesn’t go as planned’

Spread beauty and strength for others. SHARE this story on Facebook with family and friends.