Parents with Disabilities

My son and his wife will soon be foster parents. I’m happy for them but my head spins with all the concerns I have. Steve and Lisa both use wheelchairs for mobility. I’ve always felt proud of how independent and capable they are in spite of their physical challenges. Still, I can’t help but worry – all the “what-ifs” are mind-boggling.boggling.
An article in Exceptional Parent magazine helped shine some light on the situation. The following are excerpts from the article.

“According to “Challenges and Strategies of Disabled Parents Findings from a National Survey of Parents with Disabilities” the most challenging aspects of parenting with a disability include:

· physical exertion

· doing everything that needs to get done

· social messages given to children

· keeping up with children

· transportation

· discipline

· maintaining continuity in children’s lives

· limited income

· participation in school events

· communication

And like all parents, parents with disabilities find that raising children can be a true pleasure. According to the same survey, parents with disabilities reported these positive aspects of their unique parenting situation:

· child learns compassion

· child is more open-minded towards others

· more time with kids

· child is more resourceful”

“As with all parents, parents with disabilities require the support of their family and the community in which they reside. Parents with disabilities deserve an immense amount of respect, love, friendship and support from others. Indeed they are Exceptional Parents.”

That last paragraph really hit home! It is time for me to stop the “hand-wringing” and show some support for the to-be-parents.