√ Get parents/siblings/relatives/neighbors/mailman etc. to pitch in with caregiving.
√ Figure out way to get my child twenty zillion trillion more sessions of therapy. Preferably for free.
√ Spend more time just kissing, cuddling and playing with child—equally important as therapy. Maybe more so.
√ Get child onto cover of Toys 'R Us Toy Guide For Differently-Abled Kids and/or People magazine.
√ Teach child to quit whining. Or teach child to only whine to spouse.
√ Invent flying wheelchair/blast-off foot braces/drool-proof shirts/magic wand you can wave over people that'll make them quit staring and/or turn them into toads.
√ Stop comparing child to other children.
√ Stop comparing myself to other moms. They may have "typical" kids, but I have a smaller [FILL IN THE BLANK] and a bigger [FILL IN THE BLANK].
√ Suggest BYO IEPs. Teachers and therapists bring the progress reports, I'll bring the mojitos! So much more fun!
√ Organize boycott of overpriced toy and equipment catalogs that rip off parents of kids with special needs. Also, tell their mothers.
√ Come up with cooler term than "special needs."
√ Take time for myself that doesn't involve a supermarket, a doctor's office, Home Depot or The Motor Vehicles Department.
√ Quit wondering what child will "be like" when he's older and focus on awesome stuff he's doing now, including the excellent cuddling skills.
√ Invite Michelle Obama to guest post—way to raise awareness! Maybe President, too! Or Justin Bieber? The Pope???
√ Check to see that my sanity is still intact. It was the last time I looked, but you never know.
√ Breathe.
istock/mark wragg
