The vision and dream of fatherhood is an overwhelming moment in an adult males life. Today there are so many differrent ways to keep track of the pregnancy. For our first child it was text4baby that was popular. Today it as easy as downloading an app & simply signing up for something that will track each trimester of the pregnancy. Now your inner self is probably thinking ‘I am not going to do that’. However, it helps set the pace of the pregnancy. I enjoyed receiving notifocations of what was the growth stage of, the baby.

For some there is a an anticipation of the birth of their first or the new addition to the family. For others there may be special needs that would require the little miracle to be differrently abled and so some preparation may be needed. Either way if you are a parent that wants to be intertwined in every aspect of your child. Then pregnancy tracking is the first best step towards being there for your child in all stages of their growth. Also, it’s another way to ask the medical questions you may need to ask yourself or partner as part of your parenting plan.

In 2019 it was 1 in every 5 child born in the United States was born with a special need; 1 in 323 children are born with a physical impairing disease like Cerebral Palsy (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) In 2024 that number has increased to 1 in every 6 children born with a disability or disease. 
As the father of a newborn child; you are already incensed with what the needs of your child will be. What kind of bed will the baby need, do you have the right car seat to bring that baby home. Maybe you pace back and forth in the space you have prepared for the birth day. Wondering if is it going to be big enough or do you have enough clothes; do you have the incontinence covered. You may also have already plotted the course to the closest 24 hour pharmacy, have the poison control and local E.R. on speed dial and know how to get back and forth from the Walmart with diapers in under 20 minutes. These are all valid concerns and not as ludicrous as it may sound.

Well with a child born with physical, mental or emotional disabilities like Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Down Syndrome, Muscular Distrophy ect… Then that is a wonderful sentiment that makes the early morning crys at 2 in the morning or the alert of a ventilator machine or pulse oximeter beeping constantly seem like small frys. However, when sleep becomes secondary to the comfortability of the little tike that is steering the ship and tides get shaky seasonally. It is difficult to imagine what the future holds and so the need to plan for every outcome. The desire to be prepared for any emergency takes over your sense of self and that little baby becomes all that matters.

Am I enough?

Most parents are not as overtly concerned about finding the perfect fitting toy, wheelchair or Medical bed as the parent of a tiny super heroe that is differrently abled.
Maybe you only have a few concerns – little worrries – that you dont give a second thought too because really “All you need is love”. right?

It becomes even more tough when parental leave stops and now its time to consider paying for the newly added expenses not to mention all the new information you have to aborb as a new parent learning to care for your newborn.

The parent of a special needs child may have a bit more to learn because of possible therapeutic treatments, the need for constant doctor appointments and learning how to care for a differently abled human being than yourself. One that may never do as you do, act as you act, or speak as you would speak.

My only main concern and the long withstanding little worry for me and probably for most fathers is “Will I be enough?” And the answer is always yes!
No matter what precious bundle of joy you are blessed with & what type of care that child needs, you have all the tools and know how to be a great parent as long as you trust in yourself to be your better self and get it done. Don’t stop trying to make little miracles happen and never stop trying to create a better world for your child, because they are and should be the first and last thing in your world.