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Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs
Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs
June 4, 2015 | By: Kelli Zermeno
Being a parent of a child with a disability or special health care need can be hard. It’s exhausting and, it wears on you emotionally and can be very isolating to your family. We need to be social, its part of what makes us people. We need to know that we aren’t alone and that there are others just like us, preferably close by. This website was created by people just like you, from your area, to help make it easier for you to find these people, groups and resources.
Parent groups are an excellent way to meet and connect with parents who understand what you are going through. Parents can vent, share advice and ask questions in a safe environment. This can also be a great opportunity for your child to meet other kids with disabilities or special health care needs and for their siblings to find other siblings as well. Sometimes, you just need someone who really understands what you are going through.
It can seem a little scary to show up at a place where you may not know anyone. But, I guarantee you, that if you will just put yourself out there a little bit and give it a try, you might be shocked at how much you enjoy yourself.
King David’s Kids is a group based out of Abilene. Parents and caregivers are able to confidently leave their children in the care of trained volunteers while they enjoy discussion on the needs of their life, questions they may have and just good adult conversation. These are the kinds of gatherings where you can make friends for life. While you are enjoying adult time, your kids are learning life skills to grow their confidence and make friends. Although this group is based in Abilene, everyone from the surrounding regions is welcome!
SHARE (Sharing Hands A Respite Experience) provides respite care, parent support groups, sibling support, and family activities for families in the Permian Basin who have children with disabilities or special health care needs. Respite is a temporary break that provides short-term relief for families and primary caregivers to restore and strengthen their ability to continue providing care for a child or adult. SHARE partners with all members of families where there are children with disabilities or special health care needs, supporting their efforts to establish and maintain strong and successful families.
These are just two of the many resources we’ve found and put together for you. Let’s be honest…if you don’t take care of yourself, nobody will. Your family is dedicated to the care of your child. Getting social and attending parent groups and other types of groups will help you recharge your batteries, bring light into your life and peace into your heart. All you need to do is take that first step and show up.
There are many resources for your area, please be sure to check the Find Services, Groups & Events page to find one close to you!