10 Things That Make My Special Needs Life Easier
I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes my life easier. Sometimes it’s the small things, right? I got to thinking about the little tangible things as well as the big things (like how people treat me during my life in the special needs world). I have a lot more, but I was wondering what YOU want to add to this list. What makes your (special needs) life better, easier, brighter? Little things and big things! Share!
1. Cute, age appropriate pants with elastic bands. Better yet, jeggings because they look like skinny jeans but don’t fasten (for the kids, not me, unless you count the yoga pants I am wearing right now but not for yoga).
2. Medicine pill boxes for 7 days, with AM and PM. Honestly, it seems like a small thing, I know, but it’s life-altering.
3. Helpful front desk/nurses, especially when they smile and act like they like their jobs.
3. Other parents who have open minds to kids with differences because this usually means their kids do, too.
4. Friends who cook. And share.
5. Doctors willing to use technology. Oh, the faxes I have sent across the country. But the email? That really works fast!
6. Drive-through pharmacies. Enough said.
7. Throw-up chin buckets. Too much said.
8. Numbing cream.
9. ER fast track for already compromised kids? Brilliant. And kind. (Also, who invented this?)
10. Velcro shoes instead of laces.
This originally ranMarch 16, 2011…add to the list!
Note: To support the site we make money on some products, product categories and services that we talk about on this website through affiliate relationships with the merchants in question. We get a small commission on sales of those products.That in no way affects our opinions of those products and services.
Share this:
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.
Love these. I’d add:
Weighted blankets
Gum
Seamless socks
Friends who don’t lose their cool in the face of my kid(s) melting down
Clips that keep hearing aids attached to a shirt (so we don’t lose them when she pulls them out of her ears for 8 millionth time)
All good ones! Where in the heck to you get seamless socks! I must know!
Seamless socks (underwear too!): http://www.smartknitkids.com/
We had a month in mid-winter when we could NOT. get socks on his feet. We dropped a bundle on them but it was completely worth it.
Hi Julia, I just found this site off of another website for special needs families that has our product listed under their list of resources. Another seamless toe option that’s also great as AFO/KAFO socks are Rock-a-Thigh Baby. These thigh socks are USA-made, eco-friendly, and come in many fun designs and six sizes: 0-6m, 6-12m, 1-2yr, 2-4yr, 4-6yr, 6-8yr. Just thought I’d let you know. 🙂 God’s blessings to you! ~Jen, Owner/Designer of Rock-a-Thigh Baby
melatonin!!!!
teachers who “get it”
wine.. just kidding (sorta)
Oh yes, thank goodness for melatonin! And lovely teachers who love our kids…and yes…wine! And free babysitters!
I would love for welcoming churches who “get it” to be on lists like this one day. Some are there, yes, but many don’t even realize that they make it hard to even walk in that building for family of kids with special needs. (and the churches who are doing it well can serve to help with #3 and #4 on your list!)
-Shannon (who is trying to help that not be the case at my church, at other churches I network with, at http://www.theworksofgoddisplayed.com and @specialneedsmin!)
Yes! To all of this!
I have to second Marisa’s addition of friends who don’t lose their cool when my kids melt down – and add to it the one that consistently comes running to help me out (thank heavens that is not needed like it was just three years ago).
My daughter’s IEP team and their dedication.
The teacher who tutors my daughter in the summers.
The cleaning service.
And finally, I just have to add THIS SITE! Nothing tops what this site has done for my peace of mind, and that is sooo helpful!
Oh yes, we just rehired our cleaning lady! We both needed it! 🙂 And yes to the rest!
Seamless socks and underwear – woohoo!
Medication. Me and Him.
A Fan…white noise to sleep to. Me and Him
“Lableless” shirts for the sensory thing. Me and Him
Hum. I’m seeing a pattern here….
LOL love the jeggings. They can be paired up with boots and a blazer for more corporate wear or with sneakers for working out!
I laughed because we are forever searching for shoes with laces and it feels like all shoes for kids have velcro! Velcro shoes get removed almost immediately in the car, while lace-up shoes take…at least 5 extra minutes.
Finally having a friend who understands our lives. Her 5 year old son is a pediatric cancer survivor. Even though it’s a very different diagnosis, she understands the fight I have to fight to get my son the care he needs when doctors think I am over reacting, the desperate need to have some stability for my daughter when her brother is in the hospital and she isn’t allowed to visit because it’s RSV season… and suggesting that we put our kids in the same dance class so if one of our boys is sick, the other mom can take both girls to class so their fun time isn’t spoiled. And she has a heat intolerant kiddo too, so we can have fall/winter/spring zoo playdates without the other family wishing for warmer weather!
Trampolines..with the netting and ipads
Having medical professionals that truly are on my childs side, that don’t think I’m just insane, because she doesn’t act like that when she’s in the office.
A great support system at home, and in the community
Meds that help
Most important is keeping a positive attitude through out everything. Moping about it won’t help me or her.
Insurance or billing people who say, “I’ll fix that.”
Peers who say hello to my child
Family members who are willing to exhaust themselves taking care of our kids so we can get a break.
This is a great list. Thanks for sharing.
Hand held recorders that record 6 hours…..2 of those hours math and science classes
magnetic refrigerator letters
i pods
Weighted blankets
cooling vest
friends who visit during a hospital stay
A pool noodle to keep the cording from wraping around her neck while she sleeps
Netflix
Cute bags for holding medical equipment like feeding pumps
The occasioal nurse or doctor that goes above and beyond just to make her smile
Color wonder paper and makers
magic erasers
Strangers who hold doors open and offer to help you put your groceries in your car!
When I’m in the hospital, nurses who actually know what my disability is, so that I don’t have to teach every nurse, on every shift, what it is, how it affects me, and how they need to take care of me.
Able bodied people who leave the wheelchair accessible bathroom stalls for wheelchair users.
Doctors who understand that after living in my body for over 40 years, I know A LOT about my disability, and I know what works for me and what doesn’t.
Doctors who take the time to look at my allergies and not use substances that I’m allergic to.
Great list! The Internet and it’s wealth of resources including fellowship
Thank You for making this webpage. I would like to add to this list Velcro shoes above size three for children with sensory issues when it comes to tying their shoes(this is a big struggle at my house with my 9 year old daughter).I cant find any velcro shoes her size.