A Special Needs Mama

A special needs mama
Is weary in her soul
Day after day
Has taken its toll

Years of sleepless nights
Many thankless jobs
The constant demands
And heart wrenching sobs

The daily needs grind her
Almost to the bone
The exhaustion, the diapers,
all of the unknown

A son she prayed for
Who’s unruly and wild
A son she prayed for
Who’s misunderstood as a child

But wipe her tears she must
And get on with the day
For duty calls again
Duty – without pay

The phone calls, the letters,
She’s desperate for a break
Why don’t they help?
She thinks, for goodness sake

She’ll make them see
She’ll make them care
She’ll share her story
Cuz she’s a mama bear

A special needs mama
possess a strength
To rise up and fight
when others will shrink

A yell or a whisper,
a plea or a shout
She’ll do whatever it takes
to get past all the doubt

At first, barely a word
And then gaining in power
She’ll tell of her trials
Without nary a cower

She’ll advocate, scream,
pound her fist if she must
She’ll stare down the judge
leaving him in the dust.

Cuz that’s how change happens
With boldness and brawn
That’s how change happens
To usher in a new dawn

So raise your voice mama bears
Raise them loud and be bold
For change only comes
When we don’t do what we’re told.

Just keep livin.

Written by, Jess Ronne

Jess Ronne is an author, speaker, podcast host, and caregiver advocate.  She is founder and executive director of The Lucas Project—a non-profit dedicated to providing recognition, resources, and respite for special needs families. She and her husband Ryan live in Tennessee with their 8 children, including their son Lucas who has profound special needs. Her story of beauty from ashes has been shared on The Today Show, Daily Mail and Huffington Post and is detailed in her memoir Sunlight Burning at Midnight.  To follow the ongoing saga she can be found at www.jessplusthemess.com or www.thelucasproject.org

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Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.