Success Story

Sally's daughter Maggie was born with many disabilities and medical problems including cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. Now six years old, she has undergone 31 surgeries. She can't speak or walk and needs a feeding tube to eat.

Like other parents of children in the U.S. who have a chronic physical, learning, behavioral or emotional disability requiring special healthcare or related services, Sally and her husband were unprepared for the many challenges they and Maggie would face. "It was so overwhelming. Who do I go to for help? There's this whole network of services out there but you can't find it. The huge financial impact was also adding more stress to our lives. I needed help, not pity."

At our center Sally found a support group of parents who met regularly to share information and feelings. She also found educational workshops, a quarterly newsletter, and an extensive resource library. Parents like Sally can also take advantage of a phoneline staffed by other parents and volunteer mentors who provide individualized help. "At Support for Families, I found people that not only could help me but also could understand what I was talking about. It was like a weight was off my shoulders."