Being the parent of a special needs child isn’t easy.
Many of them struggle with knowing when to step in and stand up for their children or when to let things go. They want to raise their children to be strong and as independent as possible, but it’s hard to watch them get left out or ignored.
[/Jessica Everett Byrd]
Jessica Everett Byrd knows this all too well.
Her daughter, Eliza, was born with spinal bifida. As a result, she is in a wheelchair. The family wants Eliza to live a life that is as normal as possible. They don’t want her to get special treatment because of her disability, and that means things are harder for her.
[/Jessica Everett Byrd]
They found out just how hard when they tried to enjoy an Easter egg hunt.
Most families get to experience this with their children, and this egg hunt even had a special section for special needs children. Still, Eliza’s family didn’t have much fun there. They could have let that bad day ruin their moods and outlooks on life and what it holds for Eliza, but the next day, something happened that restored their faith in humanity.
[/Jessica Everett Byrd]
They shared their story online.
Eliza’s mom said:
“We took Eliza to an Easter egg hunt yesterday. The areas were all sectioned off according to age and there was a place sectioned off for special needs children. The area started to get crowded and James and I even made the comment that we didn’t realize there were so many special needs kids in Hattiesburg… It came time to go get the eggs and all the kids just started running and clearing the area of eggs. By the time we got to them, James was able to pick up a few and we had to dodge kids to get some eggs for Eliza’s basket. Only one child took pause as she approached a lone egg that we were in front of, and she looked at Eliza and then down at the egg and decided to go get another one.
“We kind of left the hunt a little defeated.
“In the car, we were discussing topics like ‘being first’ and ‘getting the most’ and where does human greed start. And how parents are teaching their kids these things. And I made the argument that if we want equal rights and for Eliza to be ‘treated equally’ then, unfortunately, things like this were going to be a part of all that. She’s not going to be first, she’s going to get trampled over sometimes, and sometimes other kids are going to make good choices and sometimes they won’t.
“Then today, after an amazing worship service, we decided to go to the zoo because today has been beautiful.
“When we got to the zoo, the lady at the gate said there were ‘2 more golden eggs’ left to be found. The zoo hid golden eggs for patrons to find and turn in for special prizes all throughout the zoo.
“While we were roaming around they announced that there was ‘only ONE more golden egg to be found’… Eliza was having a blast at the splash pad, and mommy was taking pictures of her (surprise, surprise) when this kid and his friends came walking up to us. He had something in his hand and said, ‘Hey, so…I found this egg and if you turn it in they will give you a prize. I wanted to give it to your daughter if that’s OK. I don’t know what they will give her, but she can take it up there and find out.’
[/Jessica Everett Byrd]
Their story just goes to show everyone that you don’t have to do something extravagant to change someone’s life.
Sometimes, people just need a small act of kindness to remind them that people are good. This family needed this young man to be nice to their daughter, and he was compelled to do so.
[/Jessica Everett Byrd]
The family later found out that the young boy who gave the egg to their daughter is named Cody Reed.
Someone recognized his photo on the zoo’s Facebook page and tagged his mother in it. Cody later contacted the family and let them know that the zoo had offered him an annual pass because of his kind act. He asked to take Eliza with him for one of those visits.
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