Getting outside

Getting outside is always a good thing, especially getting out as a family.  I know others might not understand why I create work for myself by taking Hope with us for outings, but it's important.  She's important and she is part of our family and she is worth the effort. 

When you meet someone like Hope, who doesn't appear to have very much awareness of her environment, you can remember this:  Only she and God know the depth of her awareness.  Therefore, we should always offer a 'hello', or perhaps a little 'hand-shake'.  When we meet someone with a baby, we instinctively smile at that baby and don't necessarily expect them to respond positively to us.  Hope is the same.  She's a baby in a big girl's body.  She likes it when her hand is held, and she might like it when we smile at her.  We just don't know, and that's okay.  That doesn't meen I'll be offended if you forget to smile at her.  It's just a hint for those who may feel uncomfortable and unsure of how to approach a severly handicapped child.