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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

31 for 21: Voices of Awareness

I have a challenge for you that will take all of two minutes, over the entirety of a year.  Seriously.

This blog has had 366 posts (not all mine).  This blog has 106 followers and 308 people like it and follow it on Facebook...It has had thousands of individual views.  There has been a grand total of 608 comments on it.  That means in 3.5 years, in average, each person has commented less than twice.  Sure there have been more on the Facebook page, but not enough to skew the numbers much...

I started writing this blog to help folks know and understand better what actually goes on in our life.  Personally, and as a family, coping with an older child with special needs.  I had honestly hoped that there would be more questions asked of us, more dialogue, more discussion.  I had hoped that there would be more camaraderie amongst us folks with the special kids.

Don't get me wrong, I don't post on the blogs I follow NEARLY enough either.  And I will be abiding by my own challenge, BUT...

This year, as a part of your new awareness, could I beg that you comment on this blog?  Only once a quarter?  I need to know if I am getting it "right".  I need to know if you want to hear what I have to say.  I need to know if you have questions that you want answered but are afraid to ask.  I need to know, most importantly of all, that my words and story have made an impact on how you view people with disabilities, and their families...  It doesn't have be deep.  It doesn't have to be huge.  Just 30 seconds, every 3 months, click, done.  Even the "Like"s on Facebook make me all giddy...

I would encourage you to do the same to other blogs you follow...and I would further encourage you to make a list of your friends dealing with *Big Stuff* and drop them a note each quarter inquiring how they are holding up or meet them for lunch...

When you are dealing with *Big Stuff* the Exhaustion often feels like the dark of a cave.  It feels palpable, damp cold, deeply alone.  The comments are whispers in the dark, the grand gestures of friends are the unexpected light, warming your way...


(photo is of Bryce Canyon courtesy Frank May)

5 comments:

  1. I stumbled on your blog a while ago. I don't have any loved ones with DS, but I do have kids with behavior problems, and I find comfort and answers and support here. Because it's NOT all rainbows and lollipops, and sometimes the little victories are what you need to celebrate, and the kids ARE lovable and you still want to strangle them.

    You're keepin' it real. Thanks.

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  2. Guilty, sorry, I've been reading for forever but... so lazy, so busy (so many excuses!). Lovely to formally "meet" you.

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  3. Here I am! Yours is one of my favorite blogs to read. But I'm horrible at commenting. I'm a lurker. :) My son Ben is 2, so you help me think through upcoming stuff ... and your IEP series was excellent.

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  4. My lack of comments isn't due to lack of "like"- partially desiring to be invisible and part laziness. I'll try to get over both

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