First posted on January 4, 2010:
Isn’t that what every parent wants? Of course there’s a great difference between our culture’s understanding of happiness and Christian hedonism!
I know the following statement has lots of exceptions; I try to stay away from sweeping, romantic statements about disability and happiness. But the contrast offered by Dr. C. Everett Koop was just too good to pass up because of how our culture views disability, normalcy and the opportunity to experience happiness:
Yet it has been my constant experience that disability and unhappiness do not go hand in hand. The most unhappy children I have known have been completely normal. On the other hand, there is remarkable joy and happiness in the lives of most handicapped children; yet some have borne burdens which I would have found difficult to face indeed.
C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D.
former Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service
The Works of God 
Thank you for this post. Our daughter is 3 years old and has faced many challenges in her life and will have more to come no doubt. Yet, she is the most cheerful, delightful gorgeous little girl and it’s facinating how people are drawn to her. She shows absolute joy and there is no deceit in her. It is so wonderful and humbling to see the world through her eyes. She greets everyone she sees with a gorgeous wave hello. It doesn’t matter who they are, how they are dressed, young and old, homeless or wealthy – everyone gets her big smile and welcome. God has bought the hugest blessing to our lives through her.