CARLSBAD, Calif. —The vast majority of us know at least a couple of “special children.” In fact, the vast majority of us would say that our own children are quite special (and indeed they are). But here we refer to children who have unique challenges functioning in the world as we know it. Perhaps they have been diagnosed with a learning disability, or perhaps their particular challenge is in the realm of a physical or mental “anomaly.” Whatever the cause of their particular uniqueness, we find many of these children who require special attention.

As a rabbi, I have been asked, “Why would G-d create such children?” some of whom have very severe disabilities. This question is not asked out of any sense of crassness or even insensitivity, but instead is asked from a genuine curiosity. The question becomes even stronger when one realizes that the cause of most human suffering is a direct result of bad choices people make. However, these special children and their families suffer through no fault of their own! Why would the Almighty, who could easily preclude such suffering if He chose to do so, create people who would be prone to this type of enormous suffering?

The best response to this question that I have heard came from the father of a special needs child who addressed a fundraising banquet for a charity that assists the families of these children. The gentleman gave a moving speech that literally inspired the banquet attendees and brought them to their feet. His words are paraphrased as follows:

My son was born with a condition that precluded the normal use of his legs and he was therefore confined to a wheelchair. Every day when school was over he would come home and go immediately to his room. We lived next door to a ball field where every day the neighborhood children would gather to play baseball. My son would go to the window in his room and watch, and my wife and I knew what he was thinking. My poor son! He so wanted to be “like the other boys” and play ball with them! But alas, he was wheelchair-bound and could only watch.

One day I had to take my son to one of his numerous and ongoing doctor’s appointments. It so happened that it was the same day and at the same time that the neighborhood children were playing in their unofficial league championship. My son rolled himself out of our house and towards the car a few minutes early waiting for me to come out and drive him to the appointment. It was at this point that the players on the field notice my son watching them intently.

They looked at each other, held a brief mid-field conference, and turned to my son and asked him if he wanted to play with them. “Me?” my son gasped with surprise. “I can’t play,” he stammered. “Sure you can!” they responded. By this time I had come out and my son turned to me and asked with a slight tremor in his voice, “Dad, can I please play for just a little while?” Of course I could not refuse.

One must understand the situation. Here it was, the bottom of the ninth inning of the “championship” game, and these boys had invited my son to participate. I was speechless and not just a bit choked up as my son rolled himself over and joined one of the teams. His teammates told him, “You’re up, go grab a bat and swing away!” “But the bases are loaded and there are two outs, and your behind by three runs,” my son protested. “Don’t worry about it, you’ll do great,” they replied with huge smiles.

Unsteadily, and more than a bit nervously, my son picked up the lightest bat he could find. The other team’s pitcher had the reputation of being truly outstanding with a very hard fastball. “Mysteriously” his first pitch was thrown pretty slowly and right down the middle of the plate. My son does not have the greatest hand-eye coordination and he swung through the ball. “Strike one!” cried the umpire. Both teams yelled their encouragement and told my son not to worry about it. The pitcher moved a bit closer and threw the ball a bit slower, but still my son missed with his swing, and in fact accidentally let go of the bat, which went flying to his shame. “Strike two! called out the ump. Instead of criticism the other players yelled more encouragement and said simply, “Great swing, you’ll get it next time.”

Well now there were two strikes and things did not look good for my son and his new teammates. Bravely my son picked up the bat again and got back into the batter’s box. The pitcher moved closer still and carefully lobbed one right over the plate. My son swung so hard he almost fell out of his chair but this time he made contact. The ball dribbled out in front of the plate. “Go! Go! Go!” everyone on both teams and all of the spectators yelled to my son. So off he went. The all-star pitcher easily fielded the ball but quite inexplicably threw it over the first baseman’s head. “Go! Go! Go!” everyone encouraged in a booming chorus. My son rounded first and again the throw was off the mark so he just kept going round second then third. He was urged home by everyone and the opposing team actually started running after him to accompany him all the way. My son scored the winning run! Both teams immediately surrounded him and danced and clapped. My son started crying the most amazing tears of joy, and honestly, I did so too as did all of the spectators. My son’s smiling, wet face at that moment will forever be imprinted in my mind’s eye.

And the man then concluded: Until that moment I had often wondered why G-d had created my son without the use of his legs and requiring so much medical attention. Now I was finally able to perceive that my son, specifically by virtue of his disabilities, was able to bring out the most extraordinary loving-kindness, compassion, and goodness in others. My son brings out the best in others!

And so my friends we know that there are many people who were created “differently” from the rest of us. They have special needs and challenges. But then again, those special needs and challenges are also special opportunities for all of us to be living examples of G-dliness as we dedicate ourselves to help.