#waveyinspires

[[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1103", "attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-2526 size-full", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"600", "height":"400", "alt":"waveyandmatt"}}]] Photo courtesy of Megan Rund Photography   A very special little girl named Waverly is going to celebrate her eleventh birthday on Saturday, November 15, and her parents have invited you to help celebrate. They aren't asking for cards, or money, or balloons or gifts or cupcakes. All they're asking for is a little kindness--and not even toward them. Before I explain, allow me to introduce you to Matt and Shannon McNeil. I went to college with them, but since graduation, their lives took a turn no one could have imagined: For more about their story, listen to this piece on the McNeil family which aired on NPR: Northern Virginia Father Writes His Way to Hope. Last year, for Waverly's tenth birthday, she received more than one thousand cards! This year, the McNeils have decided to skip the cards and ask for kindness instead. From the Wavey Inspires Facebook page: [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1104", "attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-2528 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"300", "height":"300", "alt":"waveynotsmiling"}}]] Photo courtesy of Megan Rund Photography   For most parents, celebrating a child's birthday is a day of joy and laughter. The McNeils strive to make every day one of celebration for Waverly, as she has a genetic condition that has a lifespan of 12-18 years. As Waverly gets closer to that milestone, her friends and family lift her up in celebration. In an effort to honor her on her special day, we are asking our friends to help us. We would like each of you to reach out to a family in your neighborhood, school, church, community who has a child with special needs. **Introduce yourself. Have your child make them a card. Buy a cup of coffee or a gift card.** Having a child with special needs can feel very isolating for some families. A smile and a friendly gesture can mean the world to them. We would love to see "Waves of Inclusion" across the world. Shannon adds: "If you have a good idea, please share it on the Wavey Inspires FB page. We'd love to hear stories of your kindness to others; remember, it's not bragging, it's inspiring!!!" [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1105", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignleft wp-image-2529 size-medium", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"300", "height":"300", "alt":"waveysmiles"}}]] Friends, let's do this. The McNeils aren't asking us to donate money to find a cure for San Filippo Syndrome. They aren't even asking us to buy copies of Matt's children's book, proceeds of which go toward research for a cure. (But I will. Buy Matt's book, The Strange Tale of Ben Beesley. It's part memoir, part allegory, all adventure. But in this tale, Waverly and Oliver get cured.) Let's be part of the Wave of Inclusion. There are families struggling with special needs in our communities. Let's be kind. Let's make sure they know they aren't as alone as they feel. Let's bring smiles to their faces, and then tell Wavey and her family about it so they can smile, too. Either post on their Facebook page, or if you don't do Facebook, leave a comment here on this blog post and I'll make sure they get the message! Shannon and Matt are looking for pieces of beauty and grace on this journey with their children. Let's serve it up. [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1106", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-2527", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"524", "height":"350", "alt":"waveyandsoldier"}}]] #WaveyInspires! If you do nothing else, please share this blog post using the buttons below. If you are the parent of a child with special needs, please share in the comments below what a sort of gesture of kindness would be welcome to your family. Visit the McNeil Family blog here.