Post by Heather and Judy on Sept 6, 2009 18:56:15 GMT -5
Well,
Some really good stuff to write about here! We had the pleasure and good fortune to spend a week with Nancy Thomas at her ranch in Colorado to see how she does respite work and feel it out for ourselves. We brought our son with us. It was AWESOME! Nancy was AWESOME! We met other folks that do respite for her and were able to meet some great people and learn and practice great things!
It was really reassuring to us as far as supporting our belief that we CAN do this! We can provide respite for other families which will be beneficial to them and we can help make the link between services in the U.S. and services here in Canada since we are so lacking!
While there, our son watched a child who had similar issues as he does go from being in respite and ultimately relinquished by parents, to being accepted into a new family. A lot of change was made in a small amount of time (around 5 weeks!) that enable this child to be all sunshine and light! Playing with other children and respectful, responsible and fun to be around. Seeing this had an impact on our son. Perhaps not an immediate life-altering impact, but a very beneficial one nonetheless. It might make "happy" not look so scary.
He also saw a child who was NOT as healthy as he is (usually he is the least healthy when he has been in respite) which was interesting for him as he could see all the things he is very strong at.
All in all, it was an unforgettable experience and we are SO lucky to have had the opportunity to go and help out for a week.
So - now we are home and in the process of preparing a suitable respite area in the house that is mess and destruction proof, safe, healthy and clean! Too bad there is no magic wand to make it happen overnight!
Hang in there folks - your kids can heal and be way more fun to be around!
We were also invited by Nancy Thomas to attend training to train parents in therapeutic parenting so the good news keeps on coming!
Soon we will be ready to help out those who need us!
Take care,
H&J
Some really good stuff to write about here! We had the pleasure and good fortune to spend a week with Nancy Thomas at her ranch in Colorado to see how she does respite work and feel it out for ourselves. We brought our son with us. It was AWESOME! Nancy was AWESOME! We met other folks that do respite for her and were able to meet some great people and learn and practice great things!
It was really reassuring to us as far as supporting our belief that we CAN do this! We can provide respite for other families which will be beneficial to them and we can help make the link between services in the U.S. and services here in Canada since we are so lacking!
While there, our son watched a child who had similar issues as he does go from being in respite and ultimately relinquished by parents, to being accepted into a new family. A lot of change was made in a small amount of time (around 5 weeks!) that enable this child to be all sunshine and light! Playing with other children and respectful, responsible and fun to be around. Seeing this had an impact on our son. Perhaps not an immediate life-altering impact, but a very beneficial one nonetheless. It might make "happy" not look so scary.
He also saw a child who was NOT as healthy as he is (usually he is the least healthy when he has been in respite) which was interesting for him as he could see all the things he is very strong at.
All in all, it was an unforgettable experience and we are SO lucky to have had the opportunity to go and help out for a week.
So - now we are home and in the process of preparing a suitable respite area in the house that is mess and destruction proof, safe, healthy and clean! Too bad there is no magic wand to make it happen overnight!
Hang in there folks - your kids can heal and be way more fun to be around!
We were also invited by Nancy Thomas to attend training to train parents in therapeutic parenting so the good news keeps on coming!
Soon we will be ready to help out those who need us!
Take care,
H&J
