Everyday Heroes

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PAM SNOW
The Nor'wester

Have you ever met someone that has just left an impression on you that you will never forget?

Throughout our lives we often meet many people who do that to us. Whether it is an experience you share together or a story you hear from someone that sticks with you.

Attending the recent meeting at the College of the North Atlantic in Baie Verte last Wednesday evening, held by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living (NLACL) left an impression on me.

Many people came out to the meeting. There were parents, teachers, employment officers, people who presently work with NLACL, people who worked with them in the past and so on.

Most importantly, the parents came and told their story.

They told the group of the hardships and the struggles they face everyday with having a child with a developmental disability. They spoke of the stereotypes their children face and themselves as a parent. Many issues surfaced as well on accessibility to buildings and the struggle with programs that just aren't helping.

Sitting next to and across from these individuals, you feel honoured. These parents aren't struggling everyday because they want to - they struggle everyday because they feel they have to. They struggle with funding, with school systems, with towns - to try and make the world a better place for their children.

It is always said that it is amazing what parents will do for their child. These men and women are a testament to that statement.

A soldier will go away to war and fight. He'll fight for thousands of people - for his country. Some make the ultimate sacrifice in the end, but others come home after they have served so many months.

These men and woman also fight - everyday.

They fight for what is right; even though they feel sometimes their voices aren't being heard, when fighting for something so little as a new wheelchair or a ramp to a building in their community.

It's humbling and an honour to walk among these people in our communities. To me, they are the everyday heroes.