One-Way Ticket to "Holland"
There is a famous poem known in the special needs community called, “Welcome to Holland”, by Emily Kingsley. Had I read it about fifteen years ago, I would have had not a clue as to the true scope and emotions that can be read between the lines. You see, in order to understand the “vacation trip” you had planned for your new baby that is suddenly diverted, or slowly changes course to your new destination, you need to have been the parent who realizes that your tour guide books, clothing, itinerary; all of those things you had carefully folded and arranged into your suitcase were not enough. You find at the boarding gate that your boarding pass to “Typical” First Class Parenthood has in fact been downgraded to a “Special Needs” Coach Seat assignment…where you are now seated in Row Y at the back of the plane next to the bathroom and in between Seats X and Z. Now, before you start to say, “Hey, don’t compare being a special needs parent to having...