Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008

INTERVIEW A view from the sidelines Coach’s wife tells of the gift of her special needs child s the wife of Notre Dame’s head football coach Charlie Weis, Maura Weis knows a lot about football. So it’s no surprise that she applies what she knows to raising a child with special needs. “I think Charlie and I and little Charlie and Hannah, we all have that football mentality of, we’re all in this together, we’re a team,” Maura says. “That’s what keeps us going.” Maura’s daughter Hannah, 13, has mental retardation caused by a rare seizure disorder. Maura recently wrote a book, Miles from BY LIZ DECARLO A the Sideline: A Mother’s Journey with Her Special Needs Daughter (Sorin Books, $18.95) about her life with Hannah. She took a few minutes to talk with Chicago Special Parent about her book and her life as a mom of a child with special needs. Maura Weis has written a book about her daughter Hannah. What has been the biggest challenge in raising a child with special needs? “For me personally it was the lack of compassion out there in society. I could deal with all the issues surrounding Hannah because I love her, but what I didn’t understand was that society is still kind of backwards on its thoughts in special needs,” Maura says. “I’m speaking for a big group of people who really need to open their hearts and see the struggles families go through. … People need to step out of their boxes and say let me just give them a smile and a little compassion.” Maura admits her initial reaction to people’s lack of compassion towards Hannah and her family was anger. “There was a lot of What inspired you to write a book? “Ave Maria Press sent me an e-mail asking me to share my story. I thought it was quite funny, I thought no one would ever want me to write a book or hear my story.” When Maura told Charlie about the offer, he thought it was a great way to reach out to other parents who were struggling and feeling isolated, a feeling Maura understood well. “I thought how lonely it can be with a child dealing with these issues and if I can help one person, it would be worth it.” anger, but I’ve reached the point where I’m not angry any more. I want to teach people where we’re coming from is a place of peace.” LEARN MORE Several years ago Charlie and Maura Weis started a nonprofit foundation, Hannah and Friends, that focuses on providing a better quality of life for children and adults with disabilities. They are also building a residential community for adults with special needs on 30 acres in northern Indiana. All royalties from Maura’s book will go to Hannah and Friends. For information, visit www. hannahandfriends. org. Have you found any unexpected joys in raising Hannah? “When Hannah was younger I wondered what Charlie and I would be able to teach her. But what she’s taught us … when you have a child with special needs, that is true unconditional love. To me, people with special needs are the closest thing to God on this earth. They’re teaching us, love me unconditionally no matter what I have going on. I still bathe Hannah and I shave her legs. That’s truly loving someone unconditionally. “Charlie and I have more patience. We’re filled with great joy at the special steps she has made. To love someone unconditionally is a gift from God. You appreciate every day that God gives you.” ChicagoParent.com | Specıal Parent 2008 CHICAGO | 13 http://www.hannahandfriends.org http://www.hannahandfriends.org http://www.hannahandfriends.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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