SHARE

A special need affects everyone in a family. For families who care for children with special needs, isolation is often the most difficult aspect of their journey. Friends, hobbies, careers, date nights, gym time, me time gets placed on hold. Public spaces are not always special needs friendly. In an effort to help, others can offer unsolicited advice. Over time, families may withdraw from groups, family, and friends that were once supportive. Siblings feel the same pressures as their parents and more. They also worry about their parents, and the many unknowns for them and their family. Sometimes they remain silent about things happening in their own lives because they feel like a parent already has enough on their plate. Siblings may act out, or have survivors guilt, or feel an increased pressure to achieve. And many of them know at a young age, the care giving role parents occupy now will ultimately belong to them. This is a lot of stress for a family, especially those trying to manage everything on their own. At SHARE we are a community of special families. Each new family member that comes in to our program is met by someone who understands. SHARE offers support services such as respite care (childcare so parents get a break), counseling, support groups, family celebrations, and other services to help special families. Information and support SHARE provides helps families navigate and find what they need. Our target audience is anyone who can benefit from SHARE services as well as all community members, specifically those would would partner with SHARE as an advocate, volunteer, or donor.