On Thurs., Aug. 22, I was able to attend a CMH- Children wtih Medical Handicaps meeting in Columbus, Ohio and in person! I have been a part of the CMH PAC-Parent Advocacy Committee for about 4 years and this was my first in person meeting! The reason was due to limitations during Covid and just not being able to get there. I learned so much and was inspired by one mothers journey to create adult changing tables for her special needs son, Matthew. It literally took her 10 years to create something for him and to fight for others to have the same opportunities! I also went to Darke County fair with those who attended the meeting and went on a tour of a sensory room that was created on the fairgrounds for children and persons who have special needs. How inspiring!
I attended the last of 3 of Blanchard Valley Centers Family Networking Series on Weds., Aug. 14. I was available for any parents who attended to answer questions or share about us.
Thurs., July 25, I attended Lima Nazarene Church and learned all about their special needs ministry. They are a well oiled machine when it comes to serving the special needs community. It was obvious how much they love and welcome the special needs community. I was incredibly blessed by my visit.
I attended the Cookie Festival on Sat., July 20 to share about our group. It was a great time. I loved being able to share about us, resources, and offer sound advice.
I participated in Vacation Bible School July 15-18 for children who have special needs. I was happy to help this first time event at First Church of the Nazarene. It was a blessed time and I even dressed up for the safari themed event.
During our June event we were able to celebrate the dads! All dads received a card and Dietsch’s chocolate covered pretzels!
On Thur., May 22, I was able to participate at the First Church of the Nazarene Summer Bash. I made so many balloon animals! My fingers were sore! Why? Because when making balloon animals sometimes I end up making up to 3 balloons per child because the balloons sometimes break. Ahhh 🙂
Mother’s Day, Special Needs Parent Support gave out Mother’s Day gift bags for mothers who wanted them. We were able to bless more than 10 families.
May 14 I was able to attend the 2024 Hancock Leadership graduation event. I graduated from this program in 2019 so it was nice to meet old friends and cheer on the new graduates. I cannot believe it has been 5 years since I participated and graduated! I was able to attend with my friend Pam who is also a graduate of another year. Pam has also been helping our group for several years serving meals at our family events.
April 18 I presented a power point to local first responders who attended our local CIT or Crisis Intervention Training Program. I spoke about best ways to respond to special needs persons in a crisis situation along with the vast complexity of my and other parents and families whom I currently serve, and have served over the past 15 years.
April 11, I started attending Griefshare classes in the hopes of offering this program to the parents and families I serve in the future.
April 3 I attended the No Wrong Door event. This event is for local service agencies to gather and share resources with one another along with hearing from several agencies in more detail.
April 1, I attended a FCFC – Family Children First Council meeting. I have been a parent representative for several years, but have regularly participated in these meetings since 2017. This is a local hub of many social service agencies who serve our most vulnerable children and families within our city and county.
On March 29 I was able to help Addaptco by donating some baked goods to their Bakery Bingo fundraiser. Addaptco is a local All Developmental Differences & Abilities Parent Teacher Organization for children in Hancock County.
Jan. 2, 2024, I was able to participate in a parent panel for Blanchard Valley Center. The panel was asked questions about living within the special needs world along with sharing resources with those who participated and attended.
2023
I was able to participate in the Trunk O Treats event at the Moose on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Special Needs Advocacy 419 group hosted this event.
I was able to participate in the Hancock ESC Trunk or Treat event at the Marathon Performing Arts on Sat. Oct. 14, 2023. I almost ran out of candy and non edible items because there were so many who attended this event!
I had so much fun face painting at Addaptco’s Fall Fest on Sat., Oct. 7, 2023!
I had a lot of fun making balloon animals at the Liberty Township Family event on Sat., Sept. 26, 2023.
I was able to participate at the Hancock County Health Fair at the University of Findlay on Sat., Sept. 16, 2023.
I was only able to participate at the Flag City National Night Out for a short time because I didn’t feel well. It’s always a very busy, but an exciting event.
I participated in the United Way’s resource fair at the McComb Cookie Fest on Sat., July 22, 2023. I endured an hour downpour, but survived! I packed up and was able to enjoy some of the festivities (after the rain), enjoyed some food, and a specialty coffee drink that I bought from local vendors. I’d say it was a success. 🙂
I’ve been presenting at CIT-Crisis Intervention Trainings twice a year for several years now. I share life as a parent who has a child with special needs who deals with multiple conditions and diagnoses. Therefore it makes for a very complex life. I share details of my story along with ways to help a special needs person in a crisis situation. Because of this complex life, I have become very good at handling many different issues. My next presentation will be on Thurs., Nov. 16, 2023 (update: CIT was cancelled will resume in the Spring).
