In this age of online videos, we all see videos of those without all their limbs living day-to-day. So, I think we get programmed to "know" anyone with any disability can do anything.
My mom was mostly paralyzed on her left side when she was pregnant. So, of course, back in the 70's, people wondered how the heck she could ever take care of a newborn. Two of my aunts have told me they didn't know how she would do it.
So, as most of you know, my God Daughter was in an accident over a month ago. A detail about it all is when she finally woke up, she was constantly turning on the side of her body that was the most hurt, and where her shoulder had been reconstructed. She was upset and confused and her turning on that side ran the risk of her losing use of that arm.
Much like Mom's arm when she had me. And the thing is the doctors at the hospital were saying to my God Daughter's mom, "She will never be able to take care of children if she loses the use of that arm."
So,anyway, long story longer, the whole thing has left me really thinking about Mom and how she did it. Because, clearly, she did.
Then, yesterday, when I was looking for a certain photo of us when I was about five, I encountered a photo of us when I was four weeks old. There Mom was, holding me, sort of awkwardly with one arm, but with her "bad" arm as a safeguard somewhat under my butt.
I just think that good parents are amazing and do what they can, no matter if it is a disability hampering them, or money or emotions or whatever.
When one loves a kid, they do what is needed. It is what it is. I think a loving "disabled" parent totally trumps a lacklustre able-bodied parent any day.