These Children Are A Most Wonderful Thing

I have this thing for people with special needs. I like them. I've always found myself drawn to them.

Not sure why.

When I was growing up, long, long ago...people with special needs were tucked away and not seen out in public very much. They were never in any of my classes. Now, I did grow up in very small towns, so my public was always very limited. I might have been exposed to more if I had been in a large city or large school system. I don't know.

Maybe, when I was younger, it was the novelty of being in their presence.

What I do know is I never felt fear or disgust. I always felt drawn by love.

All these years later, I have a special needs daughter (by way of China) and a special needs nephew and special needs cousins and special needs friends.

So, when the latest Compassion Magazine arrived I was excited to see the cover story Highly Vulnerable Highly Valued.

Watch Erick's story:

 One in 10 children worldwide has special needs, while one in 5 of the world's poorest has special needs.  

Interested in sponsoring a child with special needs? Click here.

Special Kids with Special Needs with Special Opportunities

I didn't realize my Jason was considered a special needs child by Compassion, but he is. His father is deceased. He is one of the 132 million children that live without one or both parents (UNICEF, 2008). To sponsor a child who has lost one or both parents go to www.compassion.com/orphan1 There are 700 special orphans waiting for sponsors to give them special opportunities.

Can you imagine living in a country that is devastated by AIDS? Everyone around you is sick. People are dying. And you are a child watching this happen everywhere you look. Nearly 14,000 children in AIDS-affected areas are waiting for a sponsor. Go to www.compassion.com/aids1 to see how you can provide that special opportunity for a special needs child.

Do you feel called to minister to an older child? This is the place for you to go - www.compassion.com/older1 These special kids have lost their sponsor or have been waiting a long time for one. About 1,200 continue waiting.

Mix a disability with poverty and you have a recipe for disaster. Resources for families are not readily available as they are here. Some cultures shun those with disabilities. Compassion has almost 180 disabled children waiting for a sponsor. To make a special change in the life of a child with a disability go to www.compassion.com/disability1

Pick your special kid with a special need and give them special opportunities.