When Your Child Is Disabled

CHALLENGE 3: YOU GIVE YOUR SICK CHILD MORE ATTENTION THAN YOU GIVE THE REST OF THE FAMILY.

A child's illness may affect what the family eats, where the family goes, and how much time parents spend with each child. As a result, the other children may feel neglected.  Furthermore, parents can become so busy caring for their sick child that their marriage suffers.  "Sometimes my wife says that she is shouldering most of the burden and that I couldn't care less about our son," says Lionel, a father in Liberia.  "I feel belittled, and sometimes I respond unkindly."

SUGGESTION:  To reassure all your children that you are interested in them, plan activities that they enjoy.  "At times, we do something special for our eldest son," says Jenney, quoted earlier, "even if we just have lunch at his favorite restaurant."

To protect your marriage, talk to and pray with your mate. Aseem, a father in India whose son suffers from seizures, says:  "Though my wife and I sometimes feel strained and frustrated, we make it a point to sit down, talk, and pray together. Each morning, before our children wake up, we spend time together. discussing  a verse from the Bible."  Others couples talk privately before going to sleep.   Your intimate conversations and sincere prayers will strengthen your marriage during periods of intense stress.  (Proverbs 15:22) As one couple put it,  "some of the sweetest moments of our life together have been during the most difficult days." 

TRY THIS:  Commend your other children for any support that they give to your ill child. Regularly express your love and appreciation for them and your mate.

REMAIN OPTIMISTIC

The Bible promises that soon God will remove every disease and disability that plagues both young and old.  (Revelation 21:3, 4) In that day, "no resident will say: 'I am sick.'" -Isaiah 33:24.  

In the meantime, you can succeed as a parent of a disabled child.  "Don't be discouraged when it seems that everything is going wrong," says Carlo and Mia, quoted earlier.  Concentrate on the wonderful things about your child, because there are  many of them."

ASK YOURSELF . . .

* What do I do to keep my own physical, emotional, and spiritual health as strong as possible?

* When was the last time I commended my other children for the help that they give?

Next time: What Is the "Gospel of Judas"? 

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