Awesome ladies in this community, a pleasant day! Today, I'm going to share with you my experience as a mother of a physically and intellectually challenging son.
____
<center>![CJ collage1.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/diosarich/NXcaIUsy-CJ20collage1.jpg)</center>
____

I am a single parent, and there are so many things that I love to be a mother, to love my children so much that I feel endless anxiety, fear that I am not a good mother. Worry when my children are sick, depressed when they are upset. It's intense, upsetting, emotionally-draining work. Motherhood is also synonymous with growth and development and fulfillment in a woman's life. It's also the toughest work a woman has ever done. It is experiencing happiness, even when facing the most painful trials of life. A mother made up of a bundle of feelings that often contradict rationality and sometimes refer to the use of common sense and instincts in raising children—no special knowledge is required, and all of these behaviors are embedded in some biological instinct.

My eldest is married and she has a 10-year-old boy (yes, I am a grandma) and they're living away from me. My youngest child has an Epileptic Cerebral Palsy (as I stated in my introductory post in this community) and is now 21 years old.

>Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a condition caused by brain trauma that prevents normal mobility and balance in various areas of the body and has a high degree of severity. The term "cerebral" refers to the brain's cerebrum, which is the part of the brain that controls the activity of the motor. 'Palsy' explains the paralysis of the voluntary action of many areas of the body. In addition, cerebral palsy does not affect life expectancy. Depending on how the disorder is treated, motor skills may increase or worsen over time. While symptoms and severity vary from case to case, most people living with this disorder appear to lead rich, satisfying life.

My son's pediatrician suggested seeing a child development specialist when he was 3 years old and encouraged me to get physical and occupational therapy. I followed her advice, and my son went through a series of counseling sessions, but because of financial constraints at that time, and I am out of employment, I stopped his therapy. He can't talk, walk or even sit on his own, however, he can comprehend.

It hurts in a special way when I look at my son's buddies, some of them just his age, and make me think for a moment about all the things he can't do. Still, I can't shift the emotion, and I can just take the part that doesn't bother me. It's not an experience that everyone needs to have; it's a journey that's unplanned, the terrain I have to lead on is difficult.

I have grown and developed more than at any other time in my life since the birth of my son. I achieve self-control, and I see wonders that I might never have been too overwhelmed to know... I learn to embrace change, I know that I was wrong to judge, and I learn that there is a concept called ***unconditional love.***

It is also important for me, as a single parent, to take some time to take care of myself as an individual: to get enough sleep, to eat nutritious meals, to take a quick stroll, and to do the things I really enjoy, even if I can only fit them in occasionally. In those fleeting moments of quiet contemplation, I was able to renew my sense of self and realize that I was also important; that I was a human being with many abilities and interests that did not interfere with my role as Mother. I began to know that a little selfishness is not a bad thing. If I was to have enjoyed myself more, I could have enjoyed my children more.

Every day my son inspires me never to give up. I know that he knows he's special.  Every time I see him having a tough time, I feel sad to see that he is helpless. I don't know what to do without my son. My life has changed. If I hadn't grown up with him, I would have had less empathy, less compassion, and less sympathy with others. He teaches me that everyone should do anything.

There is a bond between the mother and the child, which does not go away in the same manner as the relationship between the 'normal' child and the mother. I'm concerned about his future and about the care that's going to be available, and I'm afraid that he won't be able to connect effectively when he's not feeling well. I'm still concerned when he's an old man because he doesn't have me to take care of his health. To me, the happiness and well-being of my son are what I consider, and it seems dumb for people to draw assumptions and conclude that I will be envious of other people's children.

How you raise your child with disabilities depends on your family's personal preferences for child-rearing, your child's age, and the nature of his or her illness. It is important to remember that most of the normal child-raising issues will be addressed. Children with disabilities are going through the normal stages of childhood. They do not go through the same time span, at the same rate, or use the same language as children without disabilities, but they are children and children will be children.

The very basic maternal impulses that most mothers feel when they have a child are still very much part of my life, and so I never wondered at any time what it would be like to have a 'normal' son. I adore my son as he is, and while my quest through life with my son has had a few ups and downs, I love him, and I never even thought about what my life would have been like if it had been 'natural' before that moment,

Disability is not a key issue. It is indeed a challenge. A loving family would make it easier for everyone, particularly for the person who is affected by it. An individual with a disability requires profound empathy, true compassion, and infinite patience. It breaks my heart to see him like that, so weak and vulnerable. Every day is a sacrifice of new things and new lessons are being discovered, which is a constant process. Learning how to deal with his tantrums, his desire to deliver what he wants, and what he doesn't need or want. It's like a rainy day with sporadic sunlight, and this rare cloud break is what I'm trying to focus on.

- **Life is great, but life is even better once you have been blessed to become a mom.**
____
<center>Thanks to @steemwomenclub @steemcurator01, @steemcurator02, @booming1, and @booming04 who have supported many Steemians and also support quality content.</center>
____
<center>Thanks for dropping by @diosarich</center>
___
<center>☆･:˜"°•ڰۣڿ♥ڰۣڿ•°"˜･:･ﾟ☆☆･:˜"°•ڰۣڿ♥ڰۣڿ•°"˜･:･ﾟ☆ ☆･:˜"°•ڰۣڿ♥ڰۣڿ•°"˜･:･ﾟ☆</center>
<center>![mylive pink signature diosarich.gif](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYMrdSAUh7SVnydGbvSWxcfiBQd4DA6FaHUnN3WW9jZVS/mylive%20pink%20signature%20diosarich.gif)</center>
<center>☆･:˜"°•ڰۣڿ♥ڰۣڿ•°"˜･:･ﾟ☆☆･:˜"°•ڰۣڿ♥ڰۣڿ•°"˜･:･ﾟ☆ ☆･:˜"°•ڰۣڿ♥ڰۣڿ•°"˜･:･ﾟ☆</center>