When her daughter Abbey turned sixteen, Kimberly Drew learned to look at the milestone birthday in a new way. She’s here to explain what her new perspective revealed. 

Embracing My Daughter’s Special Needs Sweet Sixteen

We are in a new phase of life with Abbey. I can hardly believe she’s 16. She started high school last fall. I was already a junior at age 16 and head over heels in love. I remember youth group, movie nights, getting my driver’s license, and going to junior prom. A short year later I remember seeing my junior prom date with a new girlfriend who was wearing my dress. She looked better in it and with him than I did. Like most teenage girls, I pretended it didn’t bother me and then cried myself to sleep for weeks. I can laugh about it now, but teenage heartbreak is no joke!

Abbey went to a prom this year, too.  Tim Tebow puts on a wonderful prom event for people with special needs called Night to Shine.  We shopped for a dress and did her hair, nails, and makeup. She had the time of her life. Guess who still cried herself to sleep? Yep, it was me.

Never once did it occur to my teenage mind that I would one day be taking care of two disabled daughters. One by birth, one by choice, and neither by chance. I just didn’t write this into my story. It’s very, very difficult to make peace with at times.

This afternoon Abbey’s diaper leaked all over the floor. She walked through it and left urine footprints all over the kitchen. I had the biggest internal sigh, not upset with her. Just disappointed that I had to deal with it. My husband Ryan and I cleaned it and her up, and the day moved on. But when I’m trying to go to sleep, I get upset that these things still bother me even though I know I’m not the only parent who wrestles with letting go of what normal looks like.

When I get weepy over the loss of that normal, I try very hard to reign in my thoughts. I know it’s okay to mourn the loss. I just can’t stay in that place. A little perspective always helps to pull me out. So instead of thinking about my sweet 16, I’m going to tell you about Abbey’s.

• She smiles….all the time.
• She NEVER cries herself to sleep.
• She loves everyone, and they all love her back.
• Every night she makes me tuck in (and kiss) her doll, and then she goes to sleep in peace.
• She does not feel the sting of an unkind word.
• She does not want things she cannot have or feel jealous.
• She will never embarrass herself with poor choices or social media.
• She is the purest form of kindness.
• Abbey has joy that doesn’t get tainted by life’s worries.

I would go on, but I’m already over my word count! Yes, my sweet 16 was pretty sweet, but I’m pretty sure that Abbey’s is the sweetest 16 of all.

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