| Families caring for children with special needs, such | | | | others, may be embarrassed or ashamed, thinking |
| as Down syndrome, face tremendous obstacles | | | | that they should be able to handle it on their own, |
| and challenges, yet they exhibit extraordinary | | | | or simply do not know where to turn. |
| courage that focuses on the care, nurturing and | | | | If only a few people see and understand the |
| protection of their child that is special in so many | | | | needs of such a family, and come together to |
| ways. | | | | assist, they can bring tremendous relief in |
| Children, with any disabilities, require endless hours | | | | unlimited ways. By educating a community, and |
| of attention: medical appointments, therapies such | | | | working together, a family with a special needs |
| as speech and/or occupational, hippo therapy, | | | | child will have less stress and more time to not |
| hospital visits, and/or surgeries. Parents and | | | | only care for their child, but the entire family unit. |
| caregivers spend sleepless nights watching, | | | | Local clergies and parishes are considered |
| listening, comforting and worrying. | | | | caregivers, and have vast resources and abilities |
| However, add to those responsibilities the normal | | | | which can bring financial, emotional, and spiritual |
| routines of life, and we can imagine the | | | | support. Fund raisers, such as bake sales, may |
| tremendous affect on every family member in | | | | not only supply financial relief, but also bring |
| the home. | | | | awareness to other individuals and businesses |
| The hours of care may mean that siblings will not | | | | locally, creating more resources that can benefit a |
| always have immediate needs/and or wants met. | | | | family in need. |
| Mom or dad may miss games, practices, recitals | | | | Local high schools may have teens that are willing |
| or bedtimes. Daily responsibilities, such as laundry, | | | | to offer child care, outings to local parks or trips |
| cleaning, and cooking may not get done, or may | | | | to the library. Others may offer lawn care and |
| be dispensed among older children, while younger | | | | simple maintenance work to ease the upkeep of |
| children may feel neglected, scared or confused. | | | | the home. Individuals who enjoy garage and yard |
| The expenses and the financial means (or lack of) | | | | sales, can bring entire neighborhoods together, |
| may be overwhelming. Insurance may be | | | | donating the proceeds to the family. Many more |
| insufficient to meet all the medical needs. Second | | | | may supply items. Those that enjoy cooking may |
| mortgages may be needed and life-savings may | | | | band together and offer weekly meals, while |
| be wiped out to make sure that every necessary | | | | others may offer to shop, clean or provide rest |
| treatment, surgery and the best possible care is | | | | to an exhausted caregiver. |
| provided. Days that seemed short before | | | | By understanding the needs of those with these |
| suddenly run together when the responsibilities of | | | | extraordinary circumstances, willingly offering skills, |
| running a home and the immense strain, concern | | | | talents and time, and educating those around |
| and care of a special child collide. | | | | them, a community can participate in the care |
| Seeking help outside of the immediate realm of | | | | and well-being of a member of their own family: |
| friends and family are often times difficult for | | | | their neighbor. |
| these families. Many do not want to impose upon | | | | |