“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

I have frequently used the above quote to keep myself and others going when times seem so insurmountable that giving up would be easier. the day that we were given Connor's diagnosis was one of those days. we had spent the morning and afternoon been poked, prodded and assessed by every speciality that the Bloorview centre could throw at us and then were place in a physicians office to wait while the "team" put together their results to let us know what the final outcome was. Connor was 15months old at the time. We had already been told at 7months of age that he had cerebral palsy, but that it was probably "diplegic" and only affected one part of his body.
as part of the assessment it was necessary for the whole family to be present. so there we were, Max (feeling very uncomfortable with the medical model) Jarrett (to say at this point that he was bored and fracticious would be an understatement) Connor, (tired, hungry and worn out from the testing) and myself utterly and absolutely exhausted in every way!
After a time, the Dr. came in. I cannot remember her full name, probably because she always had us call her Shelley, but I knew by the look on her face that we were not going to like what she had to say; I had worn that same look many times.

She started with all the medical lingo of the things that the physiotherapist, speech and occupational therapist had discovered. To be honest, I have no idea what she said; Jarrett had chosen that moment to show me something or other and Max was shifting uncomfortable. But, if I could take a picture with my mind I could tell you everything about that moment: the colour of the walls, the examination table that was there, the cars Jarrett was playing with, and how Max was holding Connor and bouncing him, sneaking hugs at the same time. Then, the Dr. said something that did catch my attention, "some children with some kinds of cerebral palsy can walk; Connor is not one of those children. it is unlikely he will ever be able to sit, walk, run, or even do much for himself since his disability was Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy." this diagnosis essentially meant that he had the most debilitating form of the disorder at all. At that moment, Max burst into the most heart wrenching sobs I have ever heard, and at seeing his father cry, Jarrett thought that he should join in. I must say I was confused at best at what to do next. I remember the Dr. asking if she could get us anything. in my usual sarcastic way, I quipped:"Kleenex"

She asked if she could answer any questions with the caveat that she knew this was a lot to take in. It might seem strange but I asked if his disability would change how he looked. To say that Connor was a beautiful child was an understatement. His skin was porcelain and his eyes emerald green. He had a smile that dimpled and sparkled his eyes. the thought of a disability taking that away from him as well as everything else was too much to bear--so I asked. her answer was that he was a beautiful child and that would not change--but was I not concerned with the other problems we were facing, was there nothing she could answer about all that?
I straightened my spine, handed Max another tissue, held Connor that much closer and looked at her and said, " You don't know me and you don't know my son. Do not tell me what he cannot do or will not do; Let us show you what he can.

Along the journey we met many therapists and helpers. Connor did learn to sit on his own and did so until his legs were too spastic to cross. With the help of an electric wheelchair, he not only walked he ran! Many times in the opposite direction of where I wanted him to go. He played hockey, took Jujitsu, music lessons, acted in plays and ran for student council, among other things.
In school he was told not to take French or other languages because of his learning disability. he was also told in grade 9 that he would not be able to keep his A average up; he succeeded in maintaining his A average up to the end of his Bachelors degree!

Next week he graduates from Carleton University with a Honours Degree in the combined major of Humanities and Religion with a minor in English. He is graduating with highest Honors and is the winner of the Senate medal for Humanities--granted to the student with the highest level of achievement in their program. He not only can walk and run but now he flies!

So embrace the idea that you can change the world or anything else that you seek out to try. Never discount that ability. as Margret Mead said: “

Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”

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Margaret Mead