This fall, ABC debuted a new series about a special-needs family. 7.29 million people tuned in the first week to meet the DiMeo family—Maya (played by Minnie Driver) her husband Jimmy, and their kids JJ, Ray, and Dylan. Show creator Scott Silveri drew from his experiences growing up with an older brother with a disability, and the show was praised for casting an actor who actually has cerebral palsy, Micah Fowler, as the central character in the show.
As the DiMeo family explores their new house in the first episode (“Son, are you familiar with the phrase, ‘Pick the worst house in the best neighborhood?’,” Jimmy asks Ray when he refers to it as a crack house), Maya says they’re moving there for JJ. She’s found a school that will provide him with an aide to speak for him and he can attend regular classes. No more special ed.
After visiting the school and finding out JJ’s way in to the school is also the ramp they use for garbage, Maya stands outside to get people to sign her petition for a new ramp. School employee Kenneth approaches her:
“These people know who you are. They even had a big meeting about how to handle you … They talked to some other school you went off on.”
“Lincoln?” asks Maya. “Woodbridge? El Modena? Whitman? Marshall? Fountain Valley?”
“Does the fact that this is taking so long tell you anything about your patterns?” replies Kenneth.
Special-needs moms are often called warrior moms. It seems we’re always fighting with someone—doctors, therapy providers, schools, insurance companies, and even churches. We forge ahead to make the path for our children a little easier.
It’s not a description I’m comfortable with. I’m a middle-child peacemaker. A church planter’s wife who wants to exhibit the fruit of the spirit, especially in situations with unbelievers who know who we are and the church we represent.
But sometimes, being a warrior mom is necessary.
Read the entire post at Key Ministry for Families today!
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