The Asian culture has a saying: “may you always live in interesting times”. Well, I couldn’t say it any better…….every one of us within this special needs community lives in very interesting times. ALL THE TIME. Not a day goes by that we don’t have something “interesting” happen. That is not to say that “typical” children do not cause “interesting” situations, it’s just that our children seem to be more interesting…..more of the time.
So, with that in mind, I sit here to write my “Notes from the Editor” for the first issue of Parenting Special Needs Magazine for the first month of the new year of the new decade. Wow, that’s a mouthful. It has occurred to me that one of the things we all can do to make the “interesting” time more manageable is to do some planning. You know, try to see a little bit down the road so as to, possibly, head off some obstacles before they are right on top of us. That is why this issue deals with, you guessed it, planning. It seems that we, the family, friends, and caregivers of children with special needs, are always planning for something: therapies, IEP meetings, doctor’s appointments, school issues, food concerns, and …..oh yea, somewhere in there we have to take care of the rest of the family as well as ourselves. It seems, at times, overwhelming….to say the least.
In this issue, we have some great articles and advice on planning for the financial future with your child, assisting with self-esteem, great food portion advice, and even the perspective of a 43 year old bachelor who met, fell in love with, and is living with a woman who has a special needs child. There is something for everyone in this latest installment of Parenting Special Needs Magazine.
We would like to welcome two new contributing writers: Eric Chessen, M.S., YCS, is an Exercise Physiologist contributing on Fitness and Fun. Also new to this issue is Monica J. Foster, “The Life Beyond Limits Coach”. She is willing to write FOR parents of children with disabilities and special needs, particularly from the perspective of a grown woman who was once that child whose parents raised her well for the life she is living now. A big Heartfelt welcome to them both for joining our team.
COVER CREDIT: A Special thank you to Terry Loren, Christine B and Heather for our Cover Photo.