.jpg "Social Media May Be Your Lifeline")
Blissdom Canada is held in Toronto each October. This fabulous social media conference for women-and mom!-connects us to others through shared experience, and is an awesome way to hear so many different voices. Make it if you can, and we'll see you there next year!
Social Media 'A Lifeline' For Moms of Kids With Special Needs
You are not alone! The following moms have all used social media to find their voices, discover a community of people dealing with similar challenges, and advocate for their special needs kids. Read on to discover how. (Thanks to all the fabulous and inspiring women we met at Blissdom Canada who inspired and started our conversation.)
By KATRINA CAREFOOT
-
Social Media Gives You an Outlet - and Support
Katrina Carefoot (Me!) of ASDmom.com (Fickle Feline)Something every mother of a child with special needs tells me is that when they first found out about their child’s medical issues, they felt completely isolated. Friends and family couldn’t relate to what they were going through. Taking care of their child took so much time that it was all but impossible to advocate on behalf of him or her. It was overwhelming.
When my son Max was diagnosed with autism at 32 months, I was already involved in social media. I blogged about his diagnosis because I needed an emotional outlet - and the support came flooding in. Suddenly, I was not alone. I became friends with people who have kids with autism. I found my voice by writing about my family’s journey with autism. Best of all, by documenting Max’s progress, I gave hope to other families going through similar challenges.
Katrina Carefoot -
Social Media Helps Erase Doubts
Tanis Miller of TheRedNeckMommy.com
When we were finally matched with a little boy and were able to bring him into our family, any doubts that our extended family and community may have originally held towards the adoption evaporated. It was hard not to embrace our son Knox, because he is so filled with love and joy he just absolutely shines. He's managed to become the centre point of our entire extended family and he's wrapped all his aunts and uncles and grandparents around his crooked little fingers.While there may have been some resistance at first to the idea of a special needs adoption, I knew the reality would be different. And thankfully, our community and extended family has stepped up to the plate in a way I always knew they would and made Knox as much a part of our family as he would have been if he were born to me. He touches the hearts of everyone he meets and his resilience and grace is a lesson every able bodied person is able to learn from.
Tanis Miller -
.jpg "Social Media May Be Your Lifeline")
Social Media May Be Your Lifeline
Laura DeHoog of LivingtheSunnyLife.com
Social media has been one of my lifelines as I go about this spina bifida journey with my daughter. I remember when we first found out about her condition, my heart dropped. I went home and Googled anything and everything I could possibly think of. I came across an online community that is still, to this day, my number one site for families with this special need. This group has empowered me, given encouragement, and has just plain been there when we need them!Laura DeHoog -
You Can Use Social Media to Advocate
Karin Sheets of SpecialNeedsTravelMom.com
Social media has given me a bigger voice as I advocate for accessibility in travel and living a full life, no matter what that looks like. The more I connect with other special needs parents, the more I learn and the better parent and advocate I become. Living this life means you’ve got to keep your sense of humour to maintain sanity; things can get pretty serious. My social media friends help me step outside the tough stuff, and breathe – even if it’s just for a few minutes. I love that.
Read More:
Wish We'd Known: Things No One Told Us About Kids With ADHD
Celebs Who Have Overcome ADHD, OCD and Learning Disabilities -- So Inspiring!
Should Docs Prescribe ADHD Pills to Preschoolers?
Karin Sheets -
With Social Media, You Can Inspire Others
Ellen Seidman of LoveThatMax.com
I'd been through the worst year of my life after I had Max, who had a stroke at birth that resulted in brain damage. Doctors made all sorts of grim predictions about his future: cerebral palsy, not walking, not talking, cognitive impairment, blah awful blah.
By the time Max was 5, he walked. He had words, he was smart, and he had determination and the most wicked grin. My head and spirit were in a better place, and I wanted to reach out to other parents, comfort them and inspire them. I was hoping for a community where I could openly share my raw experiences, so parents would feel less alone, and where we could exchange information, stories, virtual hugs, and laughs about the insanity of it all.
Ellen Siedman
Chime in