If it is accepted that children with disabilities need a lot of extra support (whether or not they actually receive it) , should it not be understood that those caring for children with disabilities need a lot of extra support too?
Raising a NT child is exhausting at the best of times, a child with disabilities multiplies this by about a million.
From pre-diagnosis to life afterwards, and the ongoing everyday battle to navigate our way through education systems, health systems and every day life, we are pushed way beyond the limits of the average person. Add other children and a job in to the mix and you have a life that would send even the strongest person over the edge.
We don't have unlimited reserves of physical energy or any extra mental capacity to cope with it all. We are just ordinary people doing an extra ordinary job.
I think there needs to be more practical and accessible support for those caring for disabled children. I don't suggest our needs are more important than our children's, but tired and stressed out parents aren't good for any child least of all those with special needs.
Raising a NT child is exhausting at the best of times, a child with disabilities multiplies this by about a million.
From pre-diagnosis to life afterwards, and the ongoing everyday battle to navigate our way through education systems, health systems and every day life, we are pushed way beyond the limits of the average person. Add other children and a job in to the mix and you have a life that would send even the strongest person over the edge.
We don't have unlimited reserves of physical energy or any extra mental capacity to cope with it all. We are just ordinary people doing an extra ordinary job.
I think there needs to be more practical and accessible support for those caring for disabled children. I don't suggest our needs are more important than our children's, but tired and stressed out parents aren't good for any child least of all those with special needs.
RSS Feed