Laurie and I wrote this for Lucas as he went into Grade 1. It was a way to express our desire for Lucas’ life to those who would help shape him in his education.

As he now enters Grade 7 in a new school, we set out to revisit and revise it. However, instead of changing it, we decided that it was still as profoundly accurate and challenging as it was when we wrote it six years ago. Our dream for Lucas hasn’t changed and we are more convinced of that dream than ever before.

In the past, we have had people tell us to have low expectations for Lucas and that our dream was not realistic, but we defiantly refuse to set ceiling limits for any of our children. We want them all to meet their full potential and refuse to determine that potential for them in advance. We want Lucas, as we do Nathanial and Sydney, to be all he can be.

I thought I would share this to encourage all parents with special needs children. Our job as parents may be unique but our calling is not. Having a special needs child means our job as a parent will have unique challenges but our calling is the same as any parent of any child, anywhere. Never let anyone tell you different!

The calling of any parent is to provide for, encourage and support their children to reach their full potential in all of life.