As part of its ongoing research partnership with Pears Foundation, the Disabled Children's Partnership (DCP) of which I'm a member, surveyed roughly 300 parents in June 2021 in our final survey as part of the series. I had the privilege of being one of those parents. The findings, released today, reveal that whilst the rest … Continue reading Left Behind – Children With Additional Needs As We Emerge From The COVID-19 Pandemic
Previously, I've reminded us of the “Go Compare!” TV advert and how we should “Go Cherish!” instead when thinking about the children and young people we journey with that have additional needs (see link at the end of this blog post). This time, I want to remind us of another TV advert and how it … Continue reading Make Sure We Make The Right Choice. Because Sometimes We Don’t, Do We?
June is the month where three generations of Arnold’s celebrate their birthdays; James, me and my Dad. Chronologically, and just by a few hours, the first is James’ birthday. This has been the second birthday he has had during the pandemic, the second birthday that we’ve not been able to celebrate with him as we … Continue reading Why Getting Birthday’s Right Matters!
Do you remember summers as a child? I do. For some reason I remember them as going on forever; long fun packed days playing in the sun (or sometimes huddled in a tent or caravan watching monsoon weather sweeping across wherever we were visiting!) This year's summer has been different in many ways, but perhaps … Continue reading Making Wonderful Summer Memories That Last A Lifetime
Parents of children with additional/special needs and disabilities are often labelled negatively; ‘troublemakers’, ‘confrontational’, ‘needy’, ‘over-sharing’. I’ve seen parents blamed for their child’s disability. I’ve seen parents told that they have no right to speak on behalf of, or share details about, their child. I’ve seen parents told that they are wrong to feel or … Continue reading Special Needs Parents Are Candles, Burning Between Hope And Despair
Let me give you a little glimpse into how my mind works sometimes…. My family and I were watching Ben Fogle, his ‘New Lives In The Wild’ show on Channel 5, have you seen it? It’s about people who have given up the rat-race and gone to live a life in the wild places; it’s … Continue reading ‘The Dads Fire Circle’, A Place For Additional Needs Dads To Gather
A guest blog post by Cris Gangemi, Director of The Kairos Forum: As the director of the Kairos Forum, a small independent consultancy working in the field of church, access and disability, I have been truly amazed to be a witness to the unfolding of a very practical theology. Before I ran the Forum, I was … Continue reading The Kairos Forum: Bringing The Voice Of Creative Ministry Into The Church
A guest blog post by Kayte Potter from The National Parenting Initiative: I wonder who makes up your household? Perhaps there are lots of you, perhaps just a few. Maybe it’s noisy and difficult to hear yourself think, or maybe it’s quiet and small. Perhaps your house is full of medical equipment and activity charts … Continue reading The National Parenting Initiative: Welcome, Inclusion, And Community
On Sunday it is Fathers Day. A day which will be celebrated by some, mourned by others, a day of mixed emotions for more. As the Additional Needs Blogfather, Dads of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities have always been close to my heart, whether they are in the family home, apart … Continue reading Fathers Day: The Dads Collection
Parents of children with additional/special needs need stamina. We know that sometimes things can take a long time before we can see any positive change. We need to be resilient, in this for the long haul, for life! But sometimes we see a breakthrough with our child that energizes us again, that renews and refreshes … Continue reading Never, Never, Never Give In…
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