Learning About More Than Animals at the Zoo – Meeting Children with Special Needs

I bumped into a coworker last week at the San Diego Zoo in front of the kangaroo exhibit. Becky was strolling through with her son and her extended family. I was meandering with my son Isaac, enjoying the newer sections and appreciating old favorites. Learning about animals, waterfalls and aquariums, Oh My! Isaac loves the breeze, the sunshine, the sounds of the animals, the other families and the smells. I know this, because he is always so relaxed, has very few seizures while we are there, tilts his head up to the air, and tells us stories about the Zoo via coos and sighs when we get home. 

Becky is sweet and knows my Isaac from my social media pictures and stories, and so she was genuinely excited to meet Isaac. Her 5-year-old son had a couple questions for us such as “Can he walk?” and “Why is he in this wheelchair?” which we gave basic answers for. After we exchanged pleasantries with her family from out of town and started to move away in opposite directions, I heard her son ask if Isaac could talk. I wanted to run back and tell him all about Isaac! How he might not speak aloud, but he can communicate! He makes the sweetest murmurings, and he has a variety of facial expressions. When we listen and watch closely, Isaac does tell us when he is uncomfortable or happy or sad. He shows love when he snuggles deeper into our chest while we cuddle on the couch watching TV or when he turns his whole head in our direction and opens his eyes and mouth when we walk in the door and greet him.

Isaac loves to be active just like other children. He wants to get out of the house and see and do.

But I could tell that her family had been ready to move on and I didn’t want to overwhelm them with too many details about Isaac.  

What I can assure you, though, is that people like us love to speak about our children. They have so much to teach, and we have so much to learn. We can tell you so many stories, and share that there is still so much joy that comes with raising a child who requires full care, is considered special needs and is complicated. When they are enjoying an activity, it makes the preparation of packing their equipment, food and water, hand sanitizer and more hand sanitizer, diapering supplies and the time to load and unload worth it. We, like anyone, want our children to enjoy the world around them, to have some friends and to make a positive impact. I know one of Isaac’s gifts is the reminder that we all do have so much to be grateful for. May you take a moment to count up a couple of your blessings and take your kids outside to enjoy!