God Makes No Mistakes

The misunderstood child, the laughed at child, the "different" child. God makes no mistakes, these people are put on this earth for a reason, and kids with special needs are already close to perfect spiritually, they don't have the same agency that we do because they are disabled, but they have much specialer hearts and souls. It's my passion to work with these kids. It's not that I need to teach them really, it's that they need to teach me. I want to help them make progress and be comfortable in the world, I want to ease families struggles with a special need member, I want to find what's special about each one, what makes each one happy and expound on that each day.

Special Needs kids are my passion. Even in non compliance at my preschool, even in screaming fits, I just have grown to love the kids I work with, I have learned to see past their "defining" disability and into their individual hearts and personalities. Their non-verbal communication is hard to catch on to, but as I have tried and tried, I have caught onto what makes their boat row. And just as teachers and friends did that for my uncle Bryden (my biggest inspiration today), I want to change lives. And more importantly meet these amazing blessing in the world who will change my  heart. 

Why am I a Special Education major?

I feel like it will be the most rewarding job for me.

I have a passion for kids with disabilities.

My heart is full of love for them.

And Bryden William Belnap, my uncle has shown me this initial love. He was there since I was a baby, he's not too much older than me. He has Down syndrome, so naturally loves everyone in sight, is such a happy, accepting friend, family member or even stranger. He loves the gospel, I've never met someone closer to the Savior. And he has just been a huge example to me my whole life. I love being around him, I love helping him and I love everything about him. He showed me that special needs kids aren't scary or weird, they are AMAZING and WONDERFUL. Their spirits keep my spirits high.

I mainly want to work with Severe disabilities. The two I have been around the most are Autism and Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome:

"To see a world through eyes that don't judge. 

To love with hearts that don't discriminate. 

To look at people for who they are. 

And accept them for simply that. 

This is how children and adults with Down syndrome see the world. 

They each have a voice. 

To be shared. 

To be celebrated. 

To be heard."

Autism:

-Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys

-More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined

-Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

-Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism

-There is no medical detection or cure for autism

Be AWARE of Autism. And have a heart for all kids with disabilities. They are people like you and me, they have feelings like you and me, they have dreams like you and me, some just need a little more faith and support making their dreams come true.

BELIEVE in them, like they believe in you.