I recently had the privilege of meeting with a family who are missionaries in another country. Both Jon and Alicia are special education teachers. They have started the first school for children with disabilities in this particular country.
During our conversation, Alicia told me the story of a local family. She said that the government was giving out commodities and they visited the family to get a count of the people in the household so that they could distribute the commodities to them. The woman has 2 children, one who has a disability.
The government official asked the woman how many lived in her household. When she replied with 3, the official looked at the young man who was disabled and said, "He doesn't count!"
When I heard this story, tears began to stream down my face not only because of the compassion I felt for this family but because her story isn't unusual and it doesn't just happen in other countries.
It happens here.
Every day.
To our neighbors.
The Mom in me wants to wrap my arms around this precious family.
The advocate in me wants to jump up and down and wave my arms and scream, He does count! His life has value!
I know that YOU believe this as well!
You will be the voice of those who can not speak!
You will be the ears of those who can not hear!
You will be the feet of those who can not walk!
Like you, I believe they count!
Like you, I want to show them we see them, that we hear them, that they matter, that their life has a purpose!
Visit our website for some practical ways you can show families with special needs that they “count.”