holidays

7 Ways to Include Special Needs Families in the Social Scene

7 Ways to Include Special Needs Families in the Social Scene

Inclusion and mainstreaming have long been a back and forth quandary for classrooms and school, but what about family functions and social life issues? Cindi and Joe Ferrini offers seven ways they try to give their son some social life experiences to “fit in” that may work for your family too, just in time for holiday gatherings.

When You Have No Church Home on the Holidays

When You Have No Church Home on the Holidays

The emotions I felt at this point were profound, as this wasn’t just another service on another Christmas; this was me and my son, once again in a new church community, strangers in a familiar yet unfamiliar place, trying to find our place. What helped me get through it, what allowed me to get to a place of hope for this new church and my son’s place in it?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

I hear the music and sway to it with a smile, but do I really feel that way? Do you feel that way? I can honestly say that sometimes the added pressure of buying and wrapping gifts, decorating, sending greetings, baking, and all the rest can be very overwhelming. To help me in this process, I’ve had to put a few things in place that sometimes gets laughs, maybe even ridiculed. Here are a few thing that have helped in my life and for our family.

The Holidays and Chronic Grief

The Holidays and Chronic Grief

I love the holidays, but for many families the holidays can be a sad time, as they grieve loved ones who have been lost, relationships that have been severed or other difficult situations. For families with children impacted by disability, this can also be a difficult time.