A Time of No Bullying or Ridicule

Do you ever think about what it would have been like to have a child with special needs in the time of the frontier? I think if must have been harder in some ways and yet easier in some ways.

If the only people you saw were family, you'd never know ridicule, bullying or abuse (at least we hope not!) You would be needed for the survival of the family so would feel self worth as you worked along side them. I imagine that those who used wheelchairs would still be snapping green beans, picking berries and helping in other ways.

It wouldn't have been very easy for children who are medically fragile but I wonder about children with autism. With no societal pressures to conform perhaps they could have lived their quiet lives uninterrupted by the 'need' to make eye contact or do what others deem appropriate. The sameness each day of surviving would have fed into their true need for routine and, satisfied, they would have been an immense asset.

Sometimes I want to take my special child and run away to an earlier time, a simpler time. Without my faith I don't know if I'd do as well in this fast paced world. Ryan moves at his own rate and it's not what you'd term Speedy Gonzalez. We'd fit better in a slower time.

What do you think? Would your child have been happier or more "able" in an earlier era?

Take care and God bless you,

Much love and joy,

Karen