To say that I think about the fact that Jack was born without a fully developed left hand every day would be not be an exaggeration. But what parent doesn’t think about the things that set their child apart? What parent doesn’t wish they could solve all their child’s problems? What parent doesn’t hope for a perfect newborn with ten fingers and ten toes? And therein, as they say, lies the rub.
Jack’s hand is called symbrachydactyly, it occurs in one in 32,000 births. I do not in any way feel any guilt or have thoughts that something I did or didn’t do during my pregnancy caused this to happen. Neither do I believe that having a limb difference will hold Jack back from doing anything he wants to do. (Proof: musician Tony Memmel; Def Leppard’s drummer Rick Allen; Major League pitcher Jim Abbott; and Manhattan College center Kevin Laue. All these men are successful in professions where it would seem key to have two hands.)
So it’s not that I feel bad that he will have a limited life, because he won’t. But the thing of it that kills me, is knowing how his classmates might look at him and treat him and tease him. And at the same time, I fully believe that God gave him the personality he has – full of life, impish humor and irresistible charm – to offset most of the hurts that might come his way and protect him in the years to come (ironically, we thought it was Liam who would be standing up to people on his little brother’s behalf but I think Jack will do just fine on his own). But I still feel unprepared for what is to come and I know it will be hard, harder than it is now because at some stage he’s going to become aware that he is acutely different. And I hope that awareness doesn’t take anything away from him and that we have fully prepared him for that moment. That when someone comments on his hand, he’ll point out how every person is born different be it with blond or curly hair, tall or stout stature, with or without two hands. That he will proudly talk about it and not hide his “lucky fin” away as something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. And that he’ll be confident that his little hand does not make him who he is and he won’t listen to anyone who tells him otherwise. And all of that is really no different from any other parent and no different from what I think of with Liam, it’s just that with Jack, his imperfection is known. But that imperfection is also what makes him perfectly him. Perfectly imperfect. Just like everyone else.
ememby 
This is a great great GREAT post!
We had to go through this early too as Alex wore a helmet. Oy, the questions we got from people. Having gone through that, now I am a crazy person about celebrating differences with the kids!
Beautiful. Love it.
Love that little dude!! Thanks Michelle 🙂
wasn’t prepared to cry, Miss Michelle. You need to post a warning next time so it doesn’t happen right before I walk out the door 🙂
I promise – it’s mostly funny, mundane stuff, but this has just been on my heart.
Loved this post. I try to consider the “imperfections” that my children have as a honor and privilege from God. Your boy is perfect for your family. I pray he will always have God voice of love whispering in his ear if and when others are cruel. Love you. Thanks for sharing.
God knows how to place children pretty perfectly with the parents suited for them – I always think of your story about being a detail-oriented cleaner and having a daughter who needed that in a mom.
Much of how he deals with this will be the way the three of you raise him. When I was small, my family refused to do for me what they were sure I could do for myself, no matter how hard. Then, they quietly moved in to do what they knew I couldn’t. I can still hear my mother saying, “Stand up tall, and look them in they eye!”
Sort of along the same lines, raise Jack to be as cool as his daddy. Honestly, (and don’t take this the wrong way) sometimes the disabled grow up so WEIRD. They dress like something out of the missionary barrel, and their mentality is all about their ‘can’ts’. If Jack is raised in a way that creates a happy boy who can make friends easily, he’ll be just fine. I don’t remember – ever – being treated poorly while I was in school.
Which is not to say that there will be times when the limitations of his hand will make him want to kick the dog. Watch out, George.
totally know how you feel. why is pain or fear for your children’s feelings 10,000 to the tenth times worse than your own??? praying for that little buddy to be protected always and made tougher when people are dumb. he is so blessed to have you for a mama!
Oh how I love this post! I really think God gave Jack the best personality who will deflect negative feelings well. And when he doesn’t…well, he’s got an AWESOME parental support unit! Love love love your family.
Pingback: Just handy… | ememby
Pingback: Radio Silence | ememby
Pingback: The same but different | ememby
Pingback: It’s Tuesday again… how does this happen? | ememby
Pingback: Play the hand you’re dealt | ememby
Pingback: Reblogging… | ememby
Pingback: Instagram Catch Up | ememby