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From: | |
Reply To: | St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List |
Date: | Thu, 1 Jun 2000 08:18:24 EDT |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
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We build our neighborhoods from the ground up when a special needs situation
appears in our lives. I'm fortunate in that my geographical neighborhood is
a main staple in my actual neighborhood as well, but I know that isn't always
the case.
I will never forget my first e-mails with Trisha when we didn't know where
each other lived, and discovered that we were right in the same city. I was
thrilled!
In a message dated 05/31/2000 4:21:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> Personally, we couldn't raise our kids without support. We are the primary =
> caregivers of course, but you need help. It's finding people you want to =
> populate your "village" that's tough.
>
> I think the "village" is still there it's just not a geographic one all =
> the time like it used to be. The extended family usually is not in close =
> proximity these days. And there are not too many "neighbourhoods" left in =
> the traditional sense of the word. In our immediate neighbourhood we know =
> a few folks... but just to chat about the weather or gardening, etc. We =
> have several neighbours who are elderly so Mark shovels walkways in the =
> winter and helps take out the trash. They always ask about the boys but =
> there is very little actual support (nor would I expect it). Maybe there =
> are a few surrogate grandparents lurking. ; )
>
> I think people have to create their own "village" to support them based on
=
> what they need. My cousin is the boys' Godmother and is wonderful. She's =
> really the only family member we see all the time. Most of Mark's =
> relatives were involved in the mass exodus at the time of diagnoses. We =
> have been blessed with some great friends, some of whom have special needs
=
> children as well. These people can always be counted on for support either
=
> emotionally or practically. We also belong to our local club for parent's =
> of multiples. Of course the internet has become invaluable to me as a =
> source of info and support.
>
> So I think the support is out there. We just had to move to a new =
> "village" once we entered the world of disability. It took some
remodelling=
> and adjusting but we like the village where we live now. : )
>
> Yvonne
>
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