Inspire, Summer 2003

20 Summer 2003 W hen it comes to raising special needs children, it is amazing how God uniquely equips some people. Karen Fuller Richards ’92 is an example of that truth. Recently Karen’s oldest son was diagnosed with autism. However, her experience with special needs children began at her own birth, having had an older brother with cerebral palsy and mental retardation. “Brian was never able to talk, but you knew what he wanted or needed from his body language or facial expressions,” explained Karen. “His disabilities affected his physical and mental stature, but not his emotional stature. He had a delightful personality and a very loving heart.” Brian died unexpectedly in 1997. “I loved my brother dearly, and I miss him very much,” Karen shared. Karen didn’t always feel that way about Brian. She admits there were times in her youth when she was embarrassed to be seen with a brother who looked and acted so different. “People would just stare at him, and it made me feel uncomfortable. Later, there were times when I would be in denial about having to do things differently because of my brother. I tried to live my life somewhat emotionally disconnected from Brian,” she admitted. It wasn’t until her time at Cedarville that Karen realized how much her special needs brother was a part of her and how much she loved him. “To do anything short of fully embracing who he was, special needs and all, was denying a big blessing God had decreed for my life and my family,” she confessed. “Brian, even through all the difficult times of meeting his needs, taught us the true meaning of patience, loving others, denying yourself to serve others, perseverance, honesty, and sincerity.” Karen says the greatest lesson her brother taught her was to daily trust in God’s sovereignty and fully depend on Him to carry her through life’s difficulties. Specially Equipped for Special Needs By Cessna Catherine Winslow