Serenity Prayer for Parents of Children With FASD
God, Grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
like my child's permanent brain damage
that cannot be cured,
and a system that is not perfect,
and probably never will be,
and the fact that life will never be normal
for me or my family again,
and the fact that no one else can care for my child
like I can,
and that there will never be enough funding
for DD/MH services,
and that there will always be know-it-alls
who know nothing at all...
The courage to change the things I can,
like the amount of awareness
of FAS issues in my community,
and my own awareness
about effective advocating for my child,
and my methods of parenting
that can always be improved,
and my family environment at home
with rules and role models,
and meds, diets, visitors to my home,
and other stress factors,
and my temper
which doesn't have to be lost so quickly or so often,
and my attitude of tolerance and forgiveness,
not only for my child,
but for the ignorant jerks
who really don't know any better...
And the wisdom to know the difference,
and if I forget,
that I will listen to the wisdom
of other parents who have walked this path.
Amen.
by Teresa Kellerman, April 19, 2001
Grieving the Loss of the Dream