What are my hopes for my son? That is a question I get asked a lot.
The answer is that they are they same as they are for my daughter who is “regular”.
There is singer whose voice puts many of singers on the radio to shame.
But, I hear you say, can he write his own music?
Oh, Yea.
But can he play an instrument?
Instrument? No. Instruments? Yes.
Can his music make you feel like all is right with the world, that there is hope, and that not all is lost?
Yes, Yes and Yes.
His name is Raul Midon. You may have seen him on Letterman years ago.
Born premature he was put into an incubator with out the proper eye protection. He is now blind. At young age his father taught him to drum and his journey with music began. NOW, he is an incredibly gifted musician. But he was not born that way. It took someone taking the time to teach him. (And him putting the time and work into developing his art.) It’s parenting. It is time consuming. It is work.
NOW, he contributes to society.
That is what every parent of a kid who is not regular hopes for. That their kid will contribute. It does not have to be in a traditional way, but we hope for a contribution.
And that the child will find fulfillment in the experience. That it would be rewarding, stimulating and fulfilling.
Midon does not contribute to society in an easily measurable way, giving joy is difficult to measure, but he definitely contributes. Midon contributes to society in a way a 1000 regular dudes do not.
His music causes in me a feeling of euphoria. A belief that anything is possible. Here’s to the contribution that the “disabled” can make.
