100th Supporting Parent Training
From Our Director
Circle Of Friends
Family Voices & Advocacy
Thanks
Updates
Annual Appeal
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Fall 2006
- In this Issue: 100th Supporting Parent Training From Our Director Circle Of Friends Family Voices & Advocacy Thanks Updates Annual Appeal |
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100th Supporting Parent Training  “I
wasn’t sure what to expect... I was looking forward to meeting parents
and learning more about our programs. I thought that I was coming to
this training from a purely professional viewpoint – to help me do my
job better. I was surprised to walk away with much more. Upon arriving,
I was struck with the joyfulness with which people welcomed each other,
including myself. Though some of the parents had never met each other
before, it felt as if I had wandered into a reunion of old friends.After getting some coffee, we were welcomed by Jan Hancock and introductions ensued, along with an overview. Following this, we began to share our family stories. Though I understood what this meant on paper, experiencing it was completely different. The stories varied greatly, depending on the child’s diagnosis, age and other factors. But there was a common thread running through them all: brave, resilient parents, families working together, advocating for their children’s rights. And above all, love. To hear the parents tell the stories, it all made so sense – including a story of how a classroom assignment that was altered to accomodate their child can make all the difference. One of the most moving parts of the day for me was a statement that seemed to sum it all up in my mind. In speaking of their son, and the struggles their family have faced, a parent paused for a moment, shrugged their shoulders and said, “He’s Adam. He’s our Adam.” These simple words said so much. The love they have for him is as strong as for any other parent’s love for their child. And why should the diagnosis change that? I was honored to be part of this group and to hear their stories. I was humbled by the strength and determination shown by the families. I am in awe of the candidness and openness with which families shared their stories. When I got home, though, a thought occurred to me: Is it so different? As the mother of a ‘typical’ child, I have had to fight, argue, advocate, put my foot down – all for the sake of my child. This is not meant to diminish the work that is done in advocating for children with special needs, and I realize that it is much more intense than anything I’ve done. But that’s what a parent does – at the end of the day, we love our children, regardless, and we do all we can to make the world a better place for them.” © See some of our Supporting Parents and also see Supporting Parent Training dates throughout the state. |
Fall 2006 - In this Issue:
100th Supporting
Parent Training
From Our Director
Circle Of Friends
Family Voices &
Advocacy
Thanks
Updates
Annual
Appeal
350 Trained Supporting Parents!
Trainings in Brattleboro,Rutland, Waterbury,St. Albans and
more...
Beginning in 1988,Parent to Parent began training parents interested in
supporting other parents. Statewide, there are now 350 trained
Supporting Parents. These parents volunteer
their time to help other parents. Supporting Parents share their
knowledge, skills, humor, and experience with other parents, and
provide empathy and comfort in a way only someone who has been there
can.
Over the years volunteer
Supporting Parents have been matched with over 1800 parents needing
support. Each one of these matches represents a parent with a child
with special needs asking for help, and another parent with a child
with special needs answering the call.
Thank you all, Supporting
Parents, for giving of your time and your hearts, and making the road
less rocky for the next parent traveling down it. You are all an
inspiration and a true
testament to the words “community” and “love.” ©