As we listened to the broadcast itself, James didn’t particularly respond to his voice on the radio, but as it cut to a beautiful sung version of the song James looked up, a joyful smile spread across his face. I smiled back, and a tear welled in my eye.
Zechariah’s family and friends learned how to understand his different forms of communication during the months when he couldn’t speak. We can do the same for the children, young people, or adults that we are journeying with. By adapting our communication to meet the needs and communication styles of those we know, we can enter more fully into their world, understanding them and what they are sharing with us.
Let's celebrate our 'badges' and use them to be a help and a blessing to people who are new to our 'pack', who haven't earned their 'badge' yet, but are working towards it.
For James, bath time provides the perfect dichotomy between something he absolutely loves (having a bath) and something he finds very hard indeed (transitions), and the tension that this creates for him can, sometimes, be almost overwhelming for us both.
What really caught my attention, however, was that none of these families are able to access essential respite support for their child. In every case, Local Authorities have essentially left the families to cope on their own with no opportunities for a much needed chance to recharge their batteries.
Many would have sent us away to come back another day, but the team here showed wonderful care, compassion, creativity, and inclusion... We took a chance, and so did they.
We drove on… my worries remained… What would happen? Had God heard my prayer? Would he answer in the way that I hoped? Home got nearer, my anxiety increased. As we were pulling onto the drive the rain was getting stronger. We quickly unloaded the car, and then it was finally time to get James out of the car… I prayed again!
So many people said how valuable the evening had been. To gather with other parents, carers, and guardians, who are on a similar journey to themselves; to not feel so isolated and alone; to forge connections and friendships; all was hugely helpful.
If Isaac, one of the most well-known characters of the Old Testament, and ancestor of Jesus, had additional needs or disabilities, what does that say to us today?
I hope that our segment highlighted the challenges, but also the joys, of our story, and echoed the stories of families like ours across the country.
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