David Wooten Photo
Kim Wooten and her daughter, Madelyn.
Photo submitted
Kim Rossiter, center, is founder of Ainsley’s Angels and special advisor to adaptive sports organizations across the country.
David Wooten Photo
Patience is a virtue that Madelyn will learn, according to her mother, Kim Wooten.
GreerToday.com
Society tried its best to persuade me from following my dreams of becoming a mother because of my disability.
I may need additional help with a baby or I may do things differently with my child. However, I did not allow society to hinder my dreams.
I became pregnant in June 2012 and had an amazingly smooth nine months carrying a baby girl. My pregnancy was textbook with no complications. I welcomed Madelyn into this world in March 2013 via cesarean section.
People with disabilities, in today’s society, are a little more accepted but stereotypes are still placed on them. Before becoming pregnant with Madelyn, I was told everything I couldn’t do as a mother because I had cerebral palsy.
I’ve been asked — how I would hold a baby, feed her, love her, how could I teach her to walk and talk. People have also asked how I would explain to Madelyn why her momma is different.
There are seminars and workshops available to teach and support parents with special needs children all over the country. However, none are apparently offered for children who have parents with disabilities.
“I think these types of workshops could be helpful for a section of our community. The focus needs to be on techniques to educate others about their parents to other kids,” Kim Rossiter, founder of Ainsley’s Angels and special advisor to adaptive sports organizations across the country.
Madelyn is almost two. Madelyn doesn't know that I have a disability or may be considered different to some people. In her eyes, I'm just her momma. She has completely adapted to the way I do things.
Parenting with a disability has its challenges and obstacles daily, but we fight through with patience, determination, creativity and love.
During my pregnancy, I decided I’d nurse Madelyn due to the health benefits as well as for the ease of feeding her. I knew it’d be difficult for me to fix bottles and bottle-feed her. Madelyn and I both took to breastfeeding like champs and she hasn’t had a bottle in her life.
When she was immobile, getting Madelyn in and out of her crib was not doable for me. However, once she was able to sit and stand I could get her with ease. Getting her dressed and changing diapers was a challenge, especially when she was an infant. But with a little patience and determination, we got it done.
Our biggest daily challenge is patience. Madelyn wants what she wants at that very minute. Things take me a little longer to do and I struggle with tasks, such as opening the cookie package or getting her cup. She gets impatient and will throw a tantrum. Patience is a great virtue that she’ll learn.
Madelyn understands me better than anyone even with her small, yet growing, vocabulary. We communicate well and we have conversations every day. Onlookers are amazed how well we converse.
Madelyn loves helping me put my socks and shoes on and she gets my cup for me. She holds me when someone is walking me. At her age, helping her momma is a normal part of life. I am normal to her. I'm sure as Madelyn gets older she'll start asking questions as to why I can't walk, talk and do things differently. But I'll still be her momma.
Rossiter recalled meeting a young man who wanted to push his mom in a race. His mom suffered from muscular dystrophy and was wheelchair bound.
“I love to see him push his mom, as I believe everyone should be included always. And to see them run together with Ainsley's Angels reinforces that our efforts are worth every minute we spend behind the computer typing emails and making Facebook posts ... because our efforts are making it possible for them to roll with the wind, together.”
Children are being educated more about special needs in today’s classroom, and that provides awareness in the community. “Everybody is different in their own way and some people may need more help or do things differently, but they’re a person like me,” Desirae Norris, an 8th grader at Blue Ridge Middle School, said.
As Madelyn grows into a young lady I know others will confront her, whether it’s kids or adults, asking about her mom. Madelyn will have the knowledge and tools to answer those sometimes harsh questions.
My hope is that Madelyn, and other children like her, will embrace the fact their parent has a disability and show the world the true, raw meaning of acceptance and love.
• About the author: Kim Wooten, 25, was born with cerebral palsy, which is a condition that affects her muscles and muscle control. She graduated cum laude in 2010 from North Greenville University with a B.A. in Business Administration. Wooten is married and has a 23-month old daughter.