Lately, my algorithms have been flooded with people winning. It’s the man winning a marathon, the woman running past her competitors to take the lead, and others crossing the finish line first.
I feel happy for them. But having a child with physical disabilities, I find myself not relating because my child’s wins look very different from what most of the world is chasing.
His win is taking independent steps without holding onto the handrail. Mine is remembering the physical therapist who told me he would never do this.
His win is riding the general education bus with his twin. Mine is remembering the MRI that suggested he shouldn't be able to do this.
His win is making a new friend. Mine is when strangers resist the urge to pull their child away for fear they might say the wrong thing.
I imagine being the first across the finish line feels pretty good.
But I hope those winners also get the privilege of experiencing a victory that has nothing to do with being first, and everything to do with simply being.
