Special needs parents want so many things for their children with disabilities. They’re so busy meeting their kids needs, they fail to pay attention to their own. Today, guest blogger Kimberly Drew writes about 5 things special needs parents want from their friends. See if they resonate with you.

5 Things Special Needs Parents Want from Friends

Last night I went to a meeting for a disability ministry our church will be launching soon. The meeting itself was productive, but it was the friendship around the table that really spoke to my heart.

You see, I received a large packet in the mail from the high school my daughter will be attending. It suggested that my daughter sign up for English, math, science, and social studies classes next year. Another insert provided check off options for cheer leading or other spring sports.

For many parents with children with special needs, milestone moments for their peer groups can be difficult. When I read the packet,  I started to cry and threw it on the table. At first I was frustrated that we even received it. But the mass mailing was not meant to be an insult–it was just a mailing. A school district that serves hundreds of students might not realize how sad it is for parents to send their disabled children to a multiply disabled classroom.

There are very few people who understand how isolating and disappointing these moments are. The women sitting around the table at the church meeting let me cry. I didn’t have to fill in any blanks for them to understand what I was feeling. There was a strong sense of community for me that was very healing.

The experience made me think about my own circle of friends, family, and church family, my local school family and why it’s so difficult to talk about these things and process them with people close to me. Here are a few reasons that I came up with about what special needs parents want from their friends and family. It’s not an exhaustive list, but I hope it will show your own circle of influence how to love and support to you.

1. I don’t want you to think that I’m having a pity party. I don’t like to complain about the challenges of raising our daughter because I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer or a negative person. Everyone has things that they struggle with emotionally, and this just happens to be our thing. Sometimes, I hesitate to share this with you because I don’t want you to think that I am just feeling sorry for myself.
2. I don’t want you to pity me either. If I put my feelings into words, it sounds so very sad. I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. What I really want is for you to hear me, hug me, and love me through it.
3. I don’t want a pep-talk. Sometimes I just need to get the feelings out to get it over with. I don’t need a commentary about looking for the bright side or a pep-talk about what we have going for us. Our circumstances stink! We can’t change them, and I can’t change that it hurts me. No one gets through grief with a pep-talk, so let the situation be what it is. Let it take its course. If I stop brushing my teeth and getting out of bed, then you can give me a pep-talk. Otherwise, just be there for me.
4. I’m afraid you’ll back away. I’ve talked to hundreds of parents of kids with special needs. They all say that that when things get hard, some people back away. They can’t take the drama of your life. They stop calling, stop messaging, stop asking. I wish I could change what we are going through so when those people ask how things are going, I don’t have to give medical run-downs or list of upcoming appointments. I can’t change the fact that my life revolves around my child’s disabilities. This is my life…but sometimes I shield it from you because I don’t want to have one more friend who packs up and heads out.
5. It’s just easier not to talk about it. Sometimes my coping mechanism is avoidance. So it means a lot when a friend initiates the conversation. We need friends who are proactive about asking how we are dealing with things. I appreciate friends who anticipate situations that might be hard for me and ask about them. I cry, and they listen. It’s so therapeutic. It won’t dominate our friendship, but it’s a part of who I am. Love me enough to not let me ignore the pain.

What Else Do Special Needs Parents Want from Friends?

Did Kimberly’s list include what you want? If not, add to the list of what special needs parents want from friends by leaving a comment in the comment box.

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