Happy Monday!
Today’s post is hosted by Patrick Black of Teaching All Students. I am so excited to be able to share our experiences of Assistive Technology within the school setting at his blog. Please visit and leave a comment for him and me! http://teachingall.blogspot.com
**If you would like to contribute to a book as a special needs parent, please read below:
I am looking for parents of children with Special Needs to help me with research for a book that I hope to write.
After the birth of my daughter Sydney, ten years ago, I have been in a struggle with society. Sydney has Down syndrome and is thus labeled “Special Needs”. Well meaning people, including my own friends and family, have said things to me that I will always remember. Some of their words were helpful, some were hurtful, and others should have probably gone unsaid. Why do people say such things to parents like myself? Do they honestly think it’s helpful? Do they think this makes us feel better? People, for the most part, don’t understand children and adults with Special Needs. I have learned to filter over the years. I truly believe people want to say the right thing to a parent of a Special Needs child. I have been speaking with friends and other parents of Special Needs children and feel that people just don’t know what to say. That said, I am doing research for a book about “What to say” and “What not to say” and I would like your help. The working title of my book is “Appropriate Response: What to say and not to say to a parent of a Special Needs Child.” I would like to include positive interactions as well as negative. If it is a bad conversation please follow up your comment with what you believe could have been said that would have helped you in that situation.
If someone you know has a child with Special Needs please feel free to forward this email. I would appreciate as many different sources as possible. If you are comfortable sharing, please reply with your stories. Once I’ve received your reply I will need to send you a release form to be able to use your story in the book. Thank you so much for your time and assistance. I believe this will be a helpful source for our friends, families and communities.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Parrett
jenxr@cinci.rr.com
See everyone again tomorrow!
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Hey! I left an award for you on my blog. You can pick it up at http://www.theworkfromhomemother.com/2009/03/i-have-been-awarded-marie-antoinette.html
Have a great day!
That’s a very great idea. I hope she does well with it.
I have a little book I got from Hallmark with ideas on what to say for all occasions. I imagine something like one for Special Needs will find a audience happy to read it.
Laura~ Thank you so much for the award. Whoo-hoo me!
Jannie~ I love those Hallmark books!
Mia, Jennifer certainly has a wonderful idea. People, even with the best of intentions, can say the wrong thing. I hope you’re going to contribute, as you have a terrific way with words.
Talon~ Very true. I’ve thought about contributing. We’ll see…
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