Allowing Hope

My son, Draven, has many obstacles in life and we understand that there are many things he will never be able to do. He is legally blind and he will not be able to drive.

I had asked my other son to go to the store for me and Draven answered instead, saying, “I will--I just need the keys.” We laughed and Draven went on playing. My family member asked me why I had not said anything to Draven about him not being able to drive. I just sat there staring at them wishing I could come up with something witty to say, but my mind went blank.

I have thought long and hard about what I wish I had said. I wish I would have recounted all the things we were told that he would never do. Like walk, talk, or live to his second birthday. How he has defied all the odds and he does all the things they said he would never do.

I wish I would have explained that there are no small victories in our home because each day is its own celebration. I wish I had looked them right in the eye and said that the only thing we live on is hope: hope for another day, hope for strides in the medical field, and most importantly, hope for Draven to feel like he can do everything he ever dreams of.

Draven knows he has limitations. You can see it in his eyes when he watches other kids doing things he cannot. I don’t know what the future holds. But we have seen miracles happen. We will have hope and we will cross that future bridge when we get there.

Every child deserves a champion. An adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be. – Rita F. Pierson

Learn more about family supports and resources for families of children with disabilities.