Today I met an inspirational man who has an 8 month old son who was born deaf. This man has gone through a lot in his life. He moved here from Sth Africa when he was a child to escape racism (he's Indian Sth African), and then his Dad died at Port Arthur trying to disarm the gunman Bryant. He now works for the Salvation Army with people in need.

Anyway, he said when his son was born, at first all he could do was see the limitations of being deaf. He said he used to go into his bedroom and stand beside the cot each night and weep for everything his son wouldn't have. Fairly soon, he said he believed he had to start looking for the potential in his son, and not focus on his limitations.

What an important lesson that is for all of us whose children have challenges - be they physical, mental, emotional or social. Let's not look at their limitations, let's look instead at their potential