It's All in How You Word It...Or Is It?

I'm fighting back tears with all my might as I type this. I just finished a phone call with the school psychologist for my oldest child. She recently turned eight, which means they can no longer use the educational diagnosis of "developmentally delayed". So she was evaluated and the school psychologist said that it was up to the IEP (Individual Education Plan) team, which includes us as parents, to decided what her overall diagnosis would be. She was leaning towards "Intellectually Disabled." I realize that some of you may think this is no big deal. In the scheme of things, it probably isn't. I, however, know that this is a term recently adopted to replace the term "Mentally Retarded". I HATE the word retarded!!! It should be omitted from the English language. It just makes me want to slap someone when I hear them say it. So, I am aware that intellectually disabled is less harsh than mentally retarded, but it still cuts to the bone when someone is referring to your child...your very own perfect blessing from God. That's what she is to us. God's precious, perfect gift and I can't imagine how ordinary our lives would be without her. The way she is so proud of not putting her shirt on backwards, or doing something "all by herself", telling us that she loves us and we are her best friends. I love the way she is so nurturing to all the baby dolls who are real in her mind. I love that she has taught us the true joy and appreciation for every milestone in a child's life. So, while I am sad to think of my perfect child being intellectually disabled, I am thrilled to know that God thought we were the perfect parents for her! What an honor. So, if that is the diagnosis that we all decide on, I will proudly say that I am the parent of an Intellectually Disabled Child because that was God's plan all along! I am a firm believer that His plan is always bigger and better than anything we could imagine for ourselves.