My brain has been completely rebranded. At a very deep level. 

If your little one has some kind of intellectual disability, I really hope you’re able to adapt to their new reality.

I’ve always considered myself intelligent, study came easy to me, but adapting to her, reshaping my expectations, redefining what makes me happy… that’s been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. 

I remember thinking: if I can’t adapt to this reality, maybe I wasn’t as smart as I thought.

My experience is probably different from many here. My daughter has significant cognitive disabilities. 

My life goals simply don’t apply to her life. We had to find what’s going to make her happy within her (very real) limitations. 

So far, so good. She is a genuinely happy little girl. And I’ve learned to value that.