ALL IN THE FAMILY

All In The Family
A disability or serious illness affects the entire family. When a family is able to cope effectively with a disability, the process can be enriching for all family members. If, however, the family unit fails to provide the supportive environment needed to successfully manage the challenges, a child's development can be inhibited. Adjusting to a child's disability can be frustrating, painful, and at times depressing, but in the long run, successful adaptation rewards the whole family.
The family traditionally a child's best source of support. A child's accomplishments, self-respect, and self-esteem are all molded by his family. The family should always provide a refuge where the child is loved and supported. This atmosphere will encourage the children to be independent, creative, and active. This is what we all want for our children. When raising a child with special needs, the family atmosphere is doubly important. While stranger, friends and acquaintances may sometimes let the child down, the family should always be there for him.
The family not only includes parents and siblings, but extended family: relatives and close friends. They play an important role in your support network. By surrounding him with love and affection, your child will grow up learning he has an important place in the family and the world.
Many people will not know how to respond to your needs. Sometimes friends, grandparents and siblings may ignore you. It might be a simple process for these people to relate to normal children, but they can become reluctant to see you and perhaps even hostile when they feel that they are expected to participate in the care of a child with a disability. You may discover that your relationships become strained or even severed. Some people just do not possess the sensitivity, knowledge or capacity to care that is required. It has been said that in times of crisis people discover who their real friends are. Convey to your friends that you do not only hope for their emotional support but you would also appreciate if they can help you in other ways. Often when they are provided with appropriate information and made aware of your needs they will change their attitude and become a source of strength for you.
In spite of your efforts, however there may some people that may be unable to provide the support you need. There's not much you can do and there's no point in worrying about them. For some of your friends and family, time may be an important factor and some people who may initially be unable to help you may, over time, come to be relied upon as an important resource. Don't refuse someone's offer of help just because it did not come immediately.
Whenever a new child is born into a family, other siblings feel somewhat neglected. This feeling is often enhanced when a child with a disability is born. Understandably, older siblings often feel left out. You must go out of your way to assure them that they are loved and needed.
If you do have other children, they should be informed of the difficulties being experienced by their sibling as soon as possible, as they too will be involved in loving and caring for the child. Try to make your other children feel that they are very important not only for themselves, but for the help and support that they can contribute. If the other children are not made aware of their brother's or sister's condition, they will feel isolated and separated. Consult them on most important issues and situations regarding the care of the new child. By involving your children you give them a sense of importance and maturity and make them feel they are a valued member of your family. Many parents set aside a special time each week to discuss any problems that have arisen within the family and the ways to deal with these difficulties.

this blog is for my disabled american friends, whom have not been able to find the resorurces they need, be you a veteran of the service ,slightly or severly disabled.

friends are what makes the world go round and many times I see people shunning the disabled for many reasons therfor they stay to themselves and dont ask for the help they need.

I will begin my quest to find information to help us all.

Please feel free to add yourself as a friend, maby you just need to chat or have a question i may be able to find an answer for you, anything you like.