Parents of disabled need care too
Jennifer and J.D. Stephenson aren’t complainers. What’s more, they admit they have trouble accepting offers of help from others.
“You don’t want to come across as needy,” said J.D., a sales manager who travels frequently.
So when the middle-class Liberty Township couple agreed last year to participate in a year-long study of the needs of parents of children with disabilities, they did so with no expectation that someone would solve their problems.
Rather, they hoped the information they provided might help people who want to help parents in similar circumstances.
via Parents of disabled need care too | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com.
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About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.
Can admit, it is sometimes difficult to accept help. My daughter has a lot on her plate and I do my best being a single parent. Everyone seems to judge and criticize but I know I do what I can on my own. I have days when I cry and some days I want to simply throw my arms up in the air. I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Just from the criticism and complaints I hear and see, it makes it even more difficult to ask for help.
It was really hard early on (in learning about my kids disease/disorders) for me to accept help. My sisters and a friend literally had to force me to accept it and I’m so glad they did because it’s made me a better mother. It also made me better about asking. Because they told me time and time again that they WANTED to help, just didn’t know how and by me being specific, it became a gift I was giving them.
I will never go without help again…because I can’t do this alone. I also do feel judged and criticized but I rely on a very small, close group of people that surround me with compassion and love.