When raising a child with a chronic condition, disability, whatever you want to call it.It’s my position that “acceptance” is the goal NOT “overcoming”.
Overcoming puts you at odds with the challenges you’re experiencing. What emotions bubble up when you try to show your disability who’s boss (e.g. anger, anxiety, frustration)?
Acceptance requires a more compassionate approach toward yourself. One where you learn to be happy even while living a life that doesn’t match the one your friends live.
Acceptance is in part, the confidence that no longer looks to compare yourself to anyone else.
Acceptance isn’t the enemy of growth or skill building either. It doesn’t mean you “give up” or “let the diagnosis win”.
That’s win-lose thinking driven by our competitive minded culture.
We’ve become such dopamine junkies these days. It’s easy to forget how much having to work through hard things has to teach you.
The more at odds you are with the teacher that is your chronic condition, the more you will have to stay in class.
I won’t belabor the point. Sometimes the condition is here to stay and with it, you must create a meaningful life for yourself.
It can mean whatever you want it to.
