Sad today

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Birthdays aren't meant to be sad days but today I am sad and it is my sons birthday. He is 9. He has an organic brain injury which for him means that the change in schedule is overwhelming. The fact that he had a birthday party today - the first one he has ever asked for in his life - was simply too much and he spent most of the day crying. 

His younger brother - also with organic brain injury - is overstimulated by noise and lights and people. He spent the party hiding under their tables, until he ran away. 

I wish my kids could have "normal" birthdays full of fun and laughter. Unfortunately that is not the way our lives have unfolded. I'm going to spend a minute in this sadness