NOT IN VAIN, NOT FORGOTTEN - REMEMBERING LONDON McCABE

 

“And whoever gives these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”  Matthew 10:42 (NKJV)

 

The recent tragic death of 6 year old London McCabe has left me and many others with a heavy heart. I felt called to write about the senseless loss of this sweet, Autistic boy who loved stuffed animals and big hats.  I did not want this to be just another blip in the news.  A society is judged by the way they treat their children and animals. What does it say about us when the news constantly bombards with celebrities and forgets these little ones?

 Although I am not condoning what she did, Jillian McCabe was suffering with mental illness herself.  She spent 2 years battling the system to get her son help and everyone failed her.  She felt overwhelmed with nowhere else to turn.   

 I was watching Dr. Drew the night after this happened, and a psychologist on his panel also had a child with special needs. She shared that even as a medical professional it was difficult to navigate the system. I was not surprised; I have been trying for 30 years to get my son the assistance he needs.  It has been an arduous and convoluted process that would try the patience of Job. Others have commented that my son was fortunate to have me to fight for him; I felt that was a given.   Yet, friends who are special education teachers have said sometimes the parents are lower functioning than the child. 

The current mental health and special education systems are failing the most at risk children and their families. These kids need to have someone in their corner otherwise they or their families will continue to lash out.  We have seen this with the Newtown shootings and now this most recent tragedy. We need to help our disabled children sooner so they can become productive members of society.    I understand the system is inundated but as with other agencies it needs to be overhauled and a stepwise chronic care model put in place.

The world often rejects these children but God never does. We need to realize we are all connected and when one suffers we all suffer. We need to understand that stigma kills and not talking about it does not make it go away.   We need to reach a place of acceptance where we see others with disabilities not through our eyes, but God’s.    We need to listen to them. We must be their voice. Maybe one person alone cannot make a difference but collectively we can.  Please share this. 

 

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
― Margaret Mead