Laura Benanti Instagram – On this first day of school for many of our kids I wanted to share these powerful words written by my wonderful friend @samanthakilgore777: “Special shout-out to the parents of neurodiverse and disabled kids as we send them off into a world that does not always love them back. Our mornings are hard. We may need to walk our kids through something 40 times, knowing that they still might not get it the 41st. We try to balance between teaching them skills and abilities that seem to come like magic to other kids while not frustrating them completely. Back to school vaccines and check-ups sometimes mean blackened eyes. We’ve spent hours pouring over IEPs, fighting to make sure our kids are seen and supported and knowing, too, that even with all the supports in place, they may not be treated kindly. The IEPs may not be followed. That to their teachers, a successful day means they didn’t melt down or have an accident while we are praying that they make just one damned friend. Just one. We hope that there is adequate staffing and that the staff reads the IEP. We hope if something bad is happening, our kids have the ability to articulate it to us. We build delicate towers of supports and accommodations around our kids, fighting for every inch of space that other kids are entitled to without question. We fight, then we send them off with sore, scared hearts into a world we know does not love them the way they deserve and need to be loved. So I see you. I know your morning was brutal and even now, you’re holding your breath, counting the minutes until they’re home safe with you.”