Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008

COPING HOW WE DO IT “I HAVE LEARNED I CANNOT BE all things to Julia. As we learned more about her challenges and continued to seek out professionals, I tried to become her physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and teacher while at the same time learning about her medical conditions. At the end of the day I was exhausted, upset and angry. I just wanted to be her mom and not have to think about how I was going to incorporate some form of therapy into daily routines. I still struggle with it today, however, I am learning to let the experts do their job. “It is OK to just laugh, have fun and get cookie dough all over your face. They are only little once and I do not want to miss the fun and enjoyment of the beauty in childhood.” “MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A different way of dealing with the day to day. We play each other on our Nintendo Wii, purchased for continuing Sam’s therapy. We let out our aggression as our mini look-alike characters battle it out in tennis, boxing or baseball. Together we also play in a band that is as consuming as, if not more than, the obligation of a second job. We pour our tensions and our stresses into our music, music thus releasing our anxieties and worries.” Take care of yourself oms of children with special needs must take care of themselves so they can better take care of their families, says Carrie Capes, of Parents As Advocates. Here are her five tips to help do that: M 1 Do not make your child your number one priority every second of the day. Nurture your adult relationships by paying attention to your marriage and connecting with your friends. Make dates with your spouse and your girlfriends. 3 Join a parent support group. You will meet the most wonderful people that you would have otherwise never met were it not for your child’s special needs. These people will change your life and help to mold you into a better version of yourself. Hang onto your faith. You will need it now more than ever. It’s easy to be mad at God over your child’s struggles. 2 Find a balance. Your child is perfectly wonderful just the way he/ she is right now. Amassing huge therapy bills and excessive mileage on your car running to one appointment after another every day of the week can make you crazy (and crabby). Fun family moments and spending time playing together is sometimes the best therapy. 4 Tammy Novak, Chicago 5 You will be parenting this child for the rest of your life. If you burn yourself out in the first 10 years, you will not serve anyone well. Treat it like training for a marathon, not a sprint. Explore your own interests and don’t put off “fun” for when your child is older. Schedule a night (or two) away from home. Get a manicure or a massage. Read a book—not about your child’s disability. Try to sleep in once a month. INFORMATION TO USE The Parents as Advocates 2008 fall retreat for moms with children with special needs will be held Oct. 17-19 at the John Stewart Victorian Mansion in Elburn. Cost is $150, but ARC of Illinois is providing some stipends that reimburse 50 percent of all costs including child care and transportation. For the stipend brochure, go online at www.thearcofil.org. For information on the retreat, contact Carrie Capes at capesfamily@ verizon.net. Christina Meadowcroft, Chicago Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois Conference October 24, 2008 For more information call (708)430-7532 www.LDAIL.org 12 | www.chicagosoundtherapy.com Attention Deﬁcit Disorder - Anxiety - Auditory Processing Disorders Autism - Auditory Hypersensitivity - Dyslexia - Depression - Sensory Integration Disorders - Stuttering Susan L. Bank MD 180 N. Michigan Ave. Suite # 310 Chicago, IL 60601 fabienvander@aol.com If you or your child struggle with any of these conditions Sound Therapy can help! Specıal Parent 2008 CHICAGO | ChicagoParent.com http://www.thearcofil.org http://www.LDAIL.org http://www.LDAIL.org http://ChicagoParent.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008

Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008 Contents In Our Shoes Of Mothers and Mission Control A Love Story Keeping the Whole Family Well What Do I Do? Resources God's Special Child Our Kids Inspirations

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