On the road again....100 miles and counting.

My daughter Meghann traveled 100 miles round trip when she started school. She continued riding the bus twice a day until she graduated.  She made friends quickly with her classmates however it was hard to foster those friendships due to the distance. It was also challenging for me to connect with her classmates parents.

I hated the feeling of isolation that came from being a special needs parent in a small town. It was also frustrating that it was so difficult for Meghann to have a social life outside of school. Sure, I took Meghann to the local school games, graduations, prom premiers and other local activities. We always had fun, and Meghann received a lot of attention. Yet that didn’t make up for the desire to be a part of those activities that bond people when their children begin school.

I believe the one thing that saved us from being excluded was a support group. Previous to Meghann's school years I was fortunate to be a part of a support group for special needs parents. Although the support group ended I was fortunate to make friendships that have lasted to this day. The connections that I made in this support group have helped me in many ways. I was able to share the little steps that Meghann achieved with other parents. Those parents were the ones who understood my enthusiasm for Meghann finally being able to hold a spoon and actually getting some food into her mouth. They understood how frightening it was to stand by helplessly and watch your child have test after test. They understood the challenges that were faced in a inaccessible world. The support group knew how frustrating it was not to be able to get a wheelchair into family and friends homes. They understood how sometimes it was easier to stay home than struggle with the challenges of steps, doorways, bathrooms, and crowds. For all of these reason and many more I feel it is important to lend support to other special needs parents/guardians. I know after 29 years I have resources that I can share with others to help provide a little easier path for them. I also realize that even though my daughter is 29 years old we still face challenges that other experienced parents might be facing too.

I am starting an online support group for parents, guardian, and care givers of special needs children and adults. This group will be a private place to lend support to one another through sharing similar struggles, experiences and offering suggestions on transitioning with solutions.

Each member will need an invitation to join. This will insure the group will stay private. It will meet once a month on the same day and time. There will be guest speakers and the group will have input on topics. Please feel free to pass this information along to anyone who you think might be interested. I hope to hear from many new and some past special needs parents, guardians and caregivers. Let's celebrate the small steps together.

Online Support Group

Join special needs parents, guardian and caregivers online every month

Where: Free safe online meeting place

When: The first Tuesday of every month starting February 2017

Time: 7 P.M. central

Why: To lend support to one another through sharing similar struggles, experiences and offering suggestions on solutions. The group will have input on guest speakers and topics.

Contact: Jill Ryan

jillianm1963@hotmail.com

815-866-3776

http://parentingcelebratingsmallsteps.blogspot.com/

This is a private group and you will need a code to access the

support group.

Below is an invitation to the first in-person support group for parents of special needs individual. I hope to see everyone there in November !!

You are invited !!

Got questions about your child’s future?

* Do you have a family member with an intellectual or other developmental disability?

    * Are you considering becoming the guardian of that family member but are unsure how?

              * Do you wish you had a support group where you could share ideas, joys, and concerns? One that was conveniently online?

* Are you curious about resources your family member can expect once school ends?

We have answers to your questions!

KCCDD and Jill Ryan (parent) invite you to a free and informal gathering for a presentation on guardianship, co-guardianship and successors by attorney Holly Harris. There will be time for questions. There will also be information on other services that are offered in Knox County such as case management, advocacy, residential services, and employment.

Jill will share information on creating and accessing an online support group. She leans on her experiences raising a child who is now in her own home

. Visit her at: http://parentingcelebratingsmallsteps.blogspot.com/

Time: November 10rd at 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Place: KCCDD 2015 Windish Drive, Galesburg, Il 61401

Registration: Return the form to KCCDD or call 309-344-2600. Deadline is November 4th. (Evening is free but registration is required)

Place: KCCDD 2015 Windish Drive, Galesburg, Il 61401)

Name:

Address:

Email: Phone Number:

NOTE: We know that child care may be an obstacle and we’d like to help if possible. Please let us know if you absolutely must have child care in order to attend and we will try and make arrangements on a limited basis.

☐ Yes I am interested in care for my child(ren). Number: Ages:

Please briefly describe any special needs your child may have:

Need more information? Contact Mark Rudolph at 309-344-2600 or mrudolph@kccdd.com

Let's roll

The chubby toddler legs carried her across my living room floor as they gradually gained momentum plowing into everything in her path, including Meghann. Most of the time, kids would navigate their way around Meghann sitting on the floor. Once in a while the maneuver of an unbalance toddler wouldn't be on target for the toy that was in their sight. In these cases they would plow into Meghann climbing over her like part of a monster truck show. When Meghann would get knocked over it never upset her. She would roll over as if it was in slow motion giggling like Tickle me Elmo. Meghann's laughter always encouraged those quick little legs to make another run over her as if she was a bowling pin in a game, and they were winning. Walking would be a goal that Meghann would never successfully conquer then or now. It was not from the lack of trying. We had the best therapist at Easter Seals and in all of the schools that Meghann attended. Circumstances that were beyond any human control made it impossible for Meghann ever to walk.

Did it get better?

Walking  brought on a new set of challenges. Mobility equals  playing outside, going to parks, riding bikes, running and any other outdoor activity. Many of those activities lasted as long as a child’s attention span. It was difficult to keep Meghann participating with other children. By the time I moved her to one activity everyone would be onto something else. It was a battle that eventually Meghann and I would lose.