Emergencies can be even harder to navigate for parents of a child with a disability, especially when their child needs special healthcare equipment. For Maureen and her son George, who is paralyzed from the neck down and requires total care, emergency preparedness entails much more than stocking food and water. Parents of children with disabilities must plan ahead and prepare for worst-case scenarios. Maureen shares her story of how she was able to find backup power sources to keep George’s healthcare equipment working during a power outage.
Related Content: Emergency Preparedness for Families of Children with Disabilities
When Alan turned 19, his mother Rosalba noticed a change in his mental health. With the help of their doctor, Alan was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This diagnosis was a critical step in caring for Alan and helping him reclaim his zest for life. Along the way, Rosalba and her family received support from other parents of children with disabilities that let her know she was not alone.
Answering the tough questions now might save you a lot of pain and trauma later. A mother and father talk about why knowing the answers to the tough questions was so important when they lost their own son.
Are you prepared for the next disaster? Learn about one mother’s experience after Hurricane Harvey hit her community and get tips on what to think about when preparing your family’s disaster plan.