Humor, Parenting

12 Classic Special-Needs Parenting Moments from ABC's "Speechless"

Speechless, a sitcom about a teen with cerebral palsy, his parents, and his siblings, has among many other good things given moms and dads of kids with disabilities a weekly dose of "Yep, I've been there!" moments. How many of these can you relate to?

1. When you're pretty sure the school hates your guts, but you're going to keep on doing what you do.

 

2. When you try to fix something for your child and only make things worse.

 

3. When you have to admit there are, occasionally, benefits.

 

4. When you know there has to be a solution to every problem if you just think hard enough.

 

5. When you know you should really be modeling having fun, but it's not easy.

 

6. When you just have to let it all out.

 

7. When the school's all talk over action.

 

8. When you realize that the person treating your child different is you.

 

9. When you finally embrace being those neighbors.

 

10. When your child does an age-appropriate bad thing and you're secretly delighted.

 

11. When you're awesome in a crisis.

 

12. When you've learned what's really important and can blow off the rest.

For more information on Speechless, which airs Wednesdays 8:30/7:30c on ABC, go to the show's website and the pages on the Cerebral Palsy Foundation that use the sitcom as a springboard for spreading information and insight about living with a disability. Are you a Speechless fan? Share your favorite moments in the comments.