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In my previous column I wrote about my struggles with depression stemming from my birth defects of cerebral palsy and scoliosis. But I want to discuss the effects it has on my parents, more specifically my mother.
With Mother's Day being behind us and Father's Day coming up, I wanted to say "thank you" to both my mother and father. I do not have any children of my own, so I can't imagine how tough of a job it is to be a parent. I can understand why God said "Honor thy father and thy mother."
It's tough enough to raise a child, but the idea of raising a child with issues such as scoliosis and cerebral palsy, or in my mother's case, twins, is frightening. Imagine the horror of being told that your children have issues that they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives.
We were at the doctor's for a check up as my brother Chad and I were getting ready to go for our driver's permit when we learned about our issues. The doctor told us that it may not be a good idea that Chad and I drive.
From that day on I started to research my issues and question things -- especially as I grew older trying to work and live in society. Trying to adapt has not been easy, some of the simplest of things that people do are not so simple for me or Chad. Tasks like shoveling snow, or trying to help my dad carry bags of pellets, heck I still have a miserable time trying to help my dad change oil and rotate my tires.
I thank the Lord every day for helping me through things. Like with the Serenity Prayer, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference."
My mother blames herself for the struggles my brother and I face in our lives. But not one time have we blamed her for this. I have been frustrated and depressed with having to deal with these issues, but we have never blamed her for any of this.
I want to tell my parents I love them. It is not their fault that things are the way they are. I truly believe that things happen for a reason. No parent wants to see their child struggle in life.
I also want you to know, mom, that God loves you too. Isaiah 66:13 says, "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."
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Josh Yoder is a sports reporter for the Lewistown Sentinel. He is on a personal journey to learn more about religion and find his own faith. He can be reached at jyoder@
lewistownsentinel.com.