Look into my eyes, Look into my child's eyes

Dear Evaluator/Physician/Nurse/Therapist-

I know you have your fancy forms with the bubbles, boxes, scales, and numbers that we are expected to fill out and answer accordingly. But what I would like to tell you is that rating MY CHILD by the boxes, scales, numbers you have assigned is not working for me. When you spend 15-30 minutes with my daughter and all of the sudden you know exactly what she needs and will excel with.....without taking a moment to get my input on our day, her life, the past, or where we are medically and what the future we dream of holds. My child is more than answers on a piece of paper. She is more than developmental milestones that you consider "average" or "normal". My daughter is someone I will always know more about than you.......so please listen when I say this:

I do not care what your boxes say or what percentage my daughter falls in. I do not care if she fits what you think is "average" or "normal". You see what you don't understand is that "average" and "normal" are horrible ways to characterize anyone.Please don't tell me to watch and wait so we can reevaluate in the months to come......I am a proactive parent so that answer just won't do. I will fight every second of every day until you listen to me. I am her parent and advocate and will get her the help and services she needs. You don't have to always agree 100% but what I need from you is support and understand that you do NOT know MY CHILD better than me!

Maelee is her name in case you were wondering. She is not just an insurance plan, a copay, money in your pocket. She is my daughter and we know what she is capable of, we see the frustration daily, and we are fighting for her.

I understand the system is flooded with special needs children and your time is precious. I respect all that you do and that you have devoted your life to helping others. But what I can't understand is why you won't help my child without a fight. For once I want a straight answer. Maelee has mild CP....I understand mild is in that diagnosis. But if you won't help then who will, she will fall through the cracks and I refuse to let that happen. I will sell everything we have, drive anywhere we need to go, but all I am asking is that someone takes their eyes off the paper and really looks at my child. Spend a moment with Maelee. There is no greater gift then meeting our angel! Listening to her try to talk, watching her move, and seeing the pure joy she has to offer.

Please know that I will continue to call, ask for meetings, and come to you with ideas on ways to help my sweet child. I just wish you would come to me and look me in the eyes and tell me you want to help me help my child......no pushing, no fighting for her, just honest help from someone who sees the desire this Momma has to give her baby every opportunity this life has to offer.

 So the next time you are evaluating someone please remember to not only look into that precious child's eyes and see what they are really about, look into the caregivers as well. Those eyes have a story you can't imagine and they will tell so much in a short time. They will ask for help quicker than any words, those eyes will show you just how pure and honest their requests are. Understanding where someone comes from is not always easy but taking a moment to really look into their eyes only takes a moment and you can see what matters most to them....THEIR CHILD.

Sincerely,
A Momma who's eyes speak of compassion, care, fight, love, hurt, fear, anger, dedication, stress, but most of all my eyes are filled with Maelee.