“If you’re lucky enough to be different, don’t ever change.”

The day we found out that my youngest daughter had a chromosome abnormality, the geneticist turned to me and said “I think you may have just gotten incredibly lucky.” Lucky? We may be faced with huge obstacles, and we’re lucky? It turns out that we were very lucky, Sami’s extra piece of chromosome 9 hasn’t affected her much, and that doctor was merely expressing his surprise with how well she seemed to be doing. But we’d be incredibly lucky either way. Children with special needs and their families are lucky. Families are better because of these children. They’re stronger, they’re closer, they’re more understanding, they’re kinder. They’re better people. They’re lucky to welcome these children into their lives, to learn from them and love them.

I recently hosted a day of mini-sessions for my local chapter of Friendship Circle, an organization which provides wonderful programs and support for children with special needs and their families. I spent time with 12 families, some of whom had several children with special needs, and I learned so much by just watching them. Their grace, their incredible patience. Their love, their complete understanding. Their acceptance, and their devotion. They love each other with their entire beings. They laugh and truly mean it. They say “I love you” through spoken words, through sign language, through hugs, through encouraging smiles.

Several times during the day moms turned to me and laughed, “Welcome to our crazy life” they said. Or “You may not get perfect photos with my group, we just need one where we’re all in it.”  Well we got perfect photos. Real photos. We captured your perfectly imperfect lives. Here’s a small glimpse of our wonderful day.

To all the remarkable kids I got the chance to meet, your parents are so lucky to have you in their lives. You are smart, you are kind, you have beautiful smiles, and very brave souls. I’m lucky to have gotten the chance to know every one of you and your loving and strong families.

The Friendship Circle’s unique approach brings together teenage volunteers and children with special needs for hours of fun and friendship. These shared experiences empower children with special needs, while enriching the lives of everyone involved. To learn more about Friendship Circle Bergen County visit their website here.