Why do you want kids?

[krazykate]

I most definately wanted kids, ever since being a kid. No second thought was ever given to carrying on the irish catholic tradition of having a big family. Being the eldest and having 20+ younger cousins, babysitting provided a full time job and I absolutely loved every minute of it.

Originally Posted by jayday9

I have been around kids my entire life and absolutely love 'em....It was the weirdest thing, I could be in a restaurant and have a kid I've never met before poke his head over the booth and grin...It was always just so genuinely heartwarming to have those interactions with little kids.....

Reading that I couldn't help but get a big smile, it reminding me of the same thing that happened just last week. An adorable young boy popping his head over the booth and giggling as I made silly faces getting the same enjoyment out of seeing his reactions. HOWEVER, accompanying these moments of joy with children I can't help but feel some of my heart break too. I think with my SCI I not only lost the movement of my legs and hands but lost the dreams of having children too.
In choosing to become a mother you carry two responsibilities.....to love that child unconditionally and to provide the best possible care for him or her. Although we live in a world of wonderful medical advancements childbirth still carries heavy risks. Lets say perhaps that child, God forbid, was born having some sort of defect.....although I do not question my ability to love that child to the fullest, being a c-6 quad I could never give the adequete care that may be required. To run this possibilty is something I never think I'll be able to do.

[Jadis]

My son was born 10 days after I turned 20. I love him, but the situation at the time was not good. He would love to have siblings and constantly held on to his favorite toys and outgrown clothes "for his baby brother." He's held onto this stuff for the last 12 years. He finally understands why there won't be one, and saved his favorite stuff for the memory box. Last summer he was able to let go of all those clothes and we donated them to the Veterans Food Pantry. I would love to have another child. I wish I could have another one. I love having kids and actually enjoyed being pregnant. It's not in the cards though.

[Aly]

Moody, I was wondering when we were going to get new baby pics. How cute!

[Davey]

Because this guy has made me smile for the last 19 years...

[NJenn]

I have no children, and the jury's out on whether I ever will, but I do have many friends with disabilities (SCI, CP, MD) who have kids. Let me tell you this--

Want more people in this world who are accepting, truly accepting, of disability, difference, adversity, struggle, etc? Then have a child. Ok, so it's definitely not the only reason to have kids, but the kids of my crip friends are the best kids I've ever met. Hands down. They just get it from the youngest ages. Disability is natural to them, just like it should be for everyone.

[cali]

i always wanted kids and i still do when the time is right.

i'm not physically capable of bearing a child just now (without health concerns with being a quad) and i still have school and everything else before i even think of kids.

plus, i got growin up to do still.

[westcoast_gc]

Why do I want Kids? After many years pondering, I finally realized, I can teach my child how to be better than me. I would love to have a child. Boy or Girl, it doesn't matter. I spent many years pursuing my biochemistry degree and I finally realized, I can give a child knowledge. Knowledge which will help in todays: environment, economy, world view and hopefully a better world to live in. A smile in the eye's of a child. All I can say is WOW!! Hope I will have the opportunity to succeed in having the challenge of being a proud parent. Needless to say, my wife and I are trying to have this kind of blessing.

[1 Fine Spine RN]

Originally Posted by Moody

Parenting is one of the greatest joys in life. I hope people wont let SCI stand in the way if they want a child. My husband is a wonderful father. He amazes me in every way. He figures out how to do things I could never come up with if the shoe was on the other foot. And our son ADORES him.

This is the cutest baby I have seen in a long time!! Look how happy and healthy he is and just look at those cheeks!! I want to babysit. Such cuteness!!! Good Job Moody, life is different now eh?

Mary

[Wheelchair_Diva]

I used to ask myself this question all the time before I had my son. Honestly there isn’t a logical answer to why people want to have kids (AB or not); it seems more logical not to have any children now days, but having the unconditional love of someone that looks at you like you are some type of hero, that admire you and accept you just the way you are is priceless. I would not change my life as a mother for anything. I may not be the best mom, but it is worth trying.

[KiranA]

I got a lil teary-eyed looking at your boy grow up, Davey Thanks for sharing....