--I was wondering what the meaning could be of your fiddling with that ball of twine. When you were telling how important our role as parents is. But now it is clear. In the most simple way I experienced how we need each other. In order to get the best for our child—
The family meeting day really started with a kind of an “icebreaker”. The children were outside. There they could play freely under the surveillance of our volunteer team. And the parents could be together without worrying about their child. To learn to know each other we started addressing each other by their name, meanwhile throwing the ball of twine, winding the rope around the own wrist and then addressing to another parent. This way the group of parents made a real “network”; a kind of cobweb in between them that connected them. It even made it possible to lay things on to carry together. Indeed, a simple way to experience how everyone is connected. In a series of interactive meetings parents were invited to share their experiences and expectations. The themes of the sessions enabled them to focus on their own role and the possibilities they have as parents to support their child. Of course not neglecting the efforts and the sorrows their child with specoial needs brings. But also convincing each other that they themselves also haver ythat key role.
And at the end of the day together we had to conclude that although every special-needs child is different and every family is unique, there are some common concerns that link them all.
The same interests, same demands, same needs. Like getting appropriate care and facilities; promoting acceptance in the extended family, school and community. Or planning for an unknown future and adjusting routines and expectations.
At the Pensiune Diamant premises we could use the whole day a big hall. There the parents and the Hanah team did meet . There was a big garden with a huge lawn where the children could play together and sometimes with all the parents and the staff. And in the garden also was a big pavilion where the children and the volunteers could do all kind of creative activities. The staff of the pension there also served the tea and coffee breaks, and a special for the children prepared lunch buffet and barbeque. It was a place also where the parents free and unforced could have their conversations. Telling, sharing, asking. Each other, as the real experts for their child. Parent to parents interactions, maybe the most powerful support there is.
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Meanwhile they could observe their child, playing together with all the others Seeing them free and glad, as children do. With all the moments as children have; not hampered, not handicapped, not limited, but with fun, discovering, competing, quarreling, sharing together. Having their own little successes and disappointments, small accidents; but solving things themselves too.
Parents really did meet other parents, children met children; all together in a relaxing setting. Sharing experiences, expectations, successes and disappointments. Leaving at the end of the day with a positive view on their child on themselves.
Being more aware about each other and about themselves: parents of children with special needs are more flexible, compassionate, stubborn and resilient than other parents. They have to be. And they can be. For the sake of their whole family.
Meanwhile the Hanah team would like to prepare another meeting anywhere later in the year. For the moment we are thinking about a theme day where families already can develop interactive ways of end-of-the-year Holydays. As a way to integrate all family activities in a joint development. It would be nice when parents would like to think with us about that.
Furthermore it is c lear that the Ghimbav meeting showed the usefulness of a joint approach of the common interests, the joint search for wasys to challenge the children with their special needs and the families too. Maybe it is a suggestion to think about a kind of parent organization. Hanah –International for sure is willing to support you in this.
The Hanah team is proud to have had the opportunity to give some practical content to the Hanah-International motto “You never walk alone”. Please, look for more pictures to our photo gallery on the Hanah-International website
