{"id":11046,"date":"2015-01-14T00:05:00","date_gmt":"2015-01-14T06:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f06.70c.myftpupload.com\/?p=11046"},"modified":"2015-01-14T00:05:00","modified_gmt":"2015-01-14T06:05:00","slug":"10-friends-all-special-needs-parents-want","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jolenephilo.com\/staging\/10-friends-all-special-needs-parents-want\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Friends All Special Needs Parents Want"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title featured_image=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; title_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#42313A&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; meta_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#B4DBC0&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;50px||50px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.3&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;src&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.5&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Today, Different Dream introduces guest blogger and Deborah Arrona. She&#8217;s mom to Aria, her daughter who has significant special needs because of premature birrth. Deborah and Different Dream&#8217;s Jolene Philo have been friends for many years. So it&#8217;s fitting that Deborah is here with a post about the kinds of friends parents of kids with special needs want.<\/em><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">10 Friends All Special Needs Parents Want<br \/>by Deborah Arrona<\/h4>\n<p>Back in November Jolene shared an article from <em>The Washington Post<\/em> on the Facebook page, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DifferentDream\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Different Dream for My Child<\/a><\/span>. The article, titled <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/parenting\/wp\/2014\/11\/10\/10-types-of-friends-that-every-mom-needs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10 Types of Friends That Every Mom Needs <\/a><\/span>by Samantha Rodman, suggests 10 types of friends any mom would benefit from having in her life. Jolene asked what kind of friends we, as special needs parents, would add to this list and after I commented I was asked to take my suggestions and turn them into this guest post you are reading now. This is my list of 10 types of friends any parent of a child living with special needs or would benefit from having in their life.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Friend With An Older Special Needs Child<\/em><br \/>This friend has been on this journey of being a special needs parent a little longer or a lot longer than you have. The experience and wisdom this friend has is priceless. Whether it\u2019s a new diagnosis, surgery, medication, doctor or what have you this friend will be very encouraging and can offer understanding, something a lot of other friends may not be able to do.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Friend With A Younger Special Needs Child<\/em><br \/>All that wisdom and experience the afore-mentioned friend pours into you can be paid forward to this friend. This friend will be looking for support, answers and more&#8230;like you were. You will become the first friend mentioned to this person. This is another time among many when looking back on this journey will reveal how much it is truly is worth it.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Friend With Kids That Do Not Have Special Needs Or No Kids<\/em><br \/>This friend has either no children or a child(ren) who\u2019s not diagnosed with any medical issues and doesn\u2019t seem to care that your child lives with medical issues. This friend genuinely likes you and wants to be your friend and is willing to embrace all that comes with your friendship\u2013like your family and the special need your child lives with. If this friend has children living without special needs it\u2019s a great chance for some socialized inclusion benefiting their kids and yours. If this friend doesn\u2019t have kids they can treat yours like their own niece\/nephew if not their own son\/daughter\u2026point is they will love and support you and your child because of your friendship.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Friend With Kids Who Like Your Special Needs Child<\/em><br \/>This friend may be one you\u2018d be more acquainted with than friendly in other circumstances. You may have different views on parenting, politics, eating habits and more. However, this friendship is beneficial because it\u2019s birthed out of a desire of their kids to be friends with your child living with special needs. Their kids will go out of their way to talk with, play with, read with, watch movies with and more with your special needs child. That will mean more than how you feel about organic foods or some other topic you may disagree with this friend. The best part is that this friend knows that too and that helps you both build a friendship. Talk about a win-win.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Special-Ed\/Resource Friend<\/em><br \/>Whether it\u2019s whipping out a business card or googling with lightning speed keywords you mentioned in conversation, this friend always seems to have the name, phone number, website and any other information you happen to need on the fly. This person may also happen to be well versed in Special Education either as a parent like the first friend mentioned or as a person working in Special Education themselves. When you need help or encouragement for ARDs, IEPs, 504s and more, these are friends you want to have as their expertise will be very helpful.<\/p>\n<p><em>The MacGyver Friend<\/em><br \/>This friend will adapt, modify, or build their own version of durable medical equipment, complete home modifications, and more when it\u2019s too expensive to purchase what your child with special needs could use. This friend will help you get or build what you need for your child because they understand and do the same for their own child.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Hand-Me-Down Friend<\/em><br \/>Clothes, toys, equipment, medical supplies and more, once outgrown and no longer used, are what this friend has to offer&#8230;along with friendship. Visits include receiving and\/or swapping items your special needs child could benefit from. This friend provides a means to try before you buy, so you can keep more money in your bank for things like medicines and groceries. This friend&#8217;s example affords you another opportunity to pay it forward someday.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Respite Friend<\/em><br \/>Just when you feel like you are running on empty this friend will be there for you. This friend shows up at the right time, or is already visiting and sees you need a break. What could you possibly do with a break and a respite friend willing to watch your child living with special needs? How about do some chores, run errands, take a nap, take a shower, read a few chapters in a book, buy groceries, or eat a meal? The possibilities are endless with this friend providing the gift of extra time.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Follow-Through Friend<\/em><br \/>Having friends is great, but having friends you can count on is even better.<em> I\u2019ll pray for you<\/em> or <em>Call me if you need anything<\/em> are not just clich\u00e9 phrases this friend dishes out because it\u2019s polite. They say it because they mean it. When you call them for something, they do their best to make it happen. When you ask for prayer they actually do it. This journey of parenting a child living with special needs can be full of let-downs as often, if not more than, victories. Having a follow-through friend can make let downs feel a bit more victorious just because of their faithfulness.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Friend Who Knew You Before You Were a Special Needs Parent<\/em><br \/>If we are honest, becoming a parent changes us. However, add special needs into the mix, and we change even more. Having a friend that knew us before we started this journey will help us take care of ourselves. We, as parents, all too often can neglect ourselves while we care for our children living with special needs. Often, we are not able to keep friendships from before, but keep them if you can. It is possible to make new friends who will help you take care of yourself. Be that as it may, a friend that knew you before the life-altering, special needs parenting can encourage you to be the real you instead of parent or a spouse now and then. This friend can help you maintain or discover new hobbies and talents and just provide an emotional or creative outlet.<\/p>\n<h4>What Friends Would You Add to the List?<\/h4>\n<p>Those are the types of friends I think every special needs parent should want or could benefit from having in their life. One person can encompass one or several of these types, but that\u2019s not important. What is important is that friendship should be put on your to-do list. Just like your child\u2019s feeding schedule or other important daily routines you do for your child living with special needs. Are there any other friends you would list?<\/p>\n<p><em>Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#b4dbc0&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJCeSAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl9hcmNoaXZlIn19@&#8221; image=&#8221;http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DArrona112014.jpg&#8221; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_max_width=&#8221;100px&#8221; content_max_width=&#8221;800px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.10.5&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;title&#8221; header_font=&#8221;Rubik|500|||||||&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#44465f&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;32px&#8221; body_font=&#8221;Rubik||||||||&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;rgba(0,6,69,0.6)&#8221; body_link_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;font-weight: 400;&#8221; border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100px|100px|100px|100px&#8221; border_color_all_image=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; box_shadow_style_image=&#8221;preset1&#8243; box_shadow_vertical_image=&#8221;20px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_image=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_color_image=&#8221;rgba(68,70,95,0.27)&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; title_text=&#8221;DArrona112014&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<p>Deborah Arrona is a stay-at-home mom to Aria, a sweet and beautiful tweenage, 25 week micro-preemie survivor. Aria loves music and rolling in her wheelchair outside. She lives with multiple, medically complex special needs such as Periventricular Leukomalacia, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Cortical Visual Impairment, and use of a feeding tube. Deborah and her husband, Salvador, are raising Aria together in the Houston area. When Deborah has time she enjoys singing, reading, movies, music and posting updates about Aria at <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TeamAriaArrona\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook.com\/TeamAriaArrona<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_comments _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#42313A&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#EBDCB2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_comments][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.9.2&#8243; use_background_color_gradient=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color_gradient_start=&#8221;#42313A&#8221; background_color_gradient_end=&#8221;#EBDCB2&#8243; background_color_gradient_direction=&#8221;159deg&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;3px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#1c1259&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.9.2&#8243; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;25px|0px|5px|0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; module_class=&#8221;horizontal_optin_column_1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.3.4&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; header_text_align=&#8221;right&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#45107a&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;Dancing Script|700|||||||&#8221; header_3_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#B4DBC0&#8243; header_3_font_size=&#8221;45px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;10px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<h3>Subscribe for Updates from Jolene<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.3.4&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=&#8221;JolenePhilo|89f719a52b&#8221; layout=&#8221;bottom_top&#8221; first_name_fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; last_name_field=&#8221;off&#8221; email_fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; module_class=&#8221;custom_emailoptin&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; form_field_focus_background_color=&#8221;#42313A&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;off&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#42313A&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#B4DBC0&#8243; button_border_width=&#8221;2px&#8221; button_border_radius=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_font=&#8221;|||on|||||&#8221; button_use_icon=&#8221;off&#8221; button_custom_margin=&#8221;5px||||false|false&#8221; button_custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; border_width_all_fields=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_signup][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; header_font=&#8221;EB Garamond|600|||||||&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#B6452C&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Related Posts<\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_blog fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; posts_number=&#8221;3&#8243; include_categories=&#8221;current&#8221; show_more=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.2&#8243; header_text_color=&#8221;#42313A&#8221; meta_font=&#8221;||on||||||&#8221; read_more_font=&#8221;|||on|||||&#8221; read_more_text_color=&#8221;#B6452C&#8221; read_more_font_size=&#8221;12px&#8221; pagination_text_color=&#8221;#B6452C&#8221; pagination_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Special needs parents want friends who will support them in some special ways. Deborah Arrona describes ten types of friends special needs parents want.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/wear-your-heart-on-the-palm-of-your-hands-1-585569-m.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11098\" src=\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/wear-your-heart-on-the-palm-of-your-hands-1-585569-m.jpg\" alt=\"Special needs parents want friends who will support them in some special ways. Deborah Arrona describes ten types of friends special needs parents want.\" width=\"373\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Today, Different Dream introduces guest blogger and Deborah Arrona. She's mom to Aria, her daughter who has significant special needs because of premature birrth. Deborah and Different Dream's Jolene Philo have been friends for many years. So it's fitting that Deborah is here with a post about the kinds of friends parents of kids with special needs want.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">10 Friends All Special Needs Parents Want\nby Deborah Arrona<\/h4>\nBack in November Jolene shared an article from <em>The Washington Post<\/em> on the Facebook page, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DifferentDream\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Different Dream for My Child<\/a>. The article, titled <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/parenting\/wp\/2014\/11\/10\/10-types-of-friends-that-every-mom-needs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10 Types of Friends That Every Mom Needs <\/a>by Samantha Rodman, suggests 10 types of friends any mom would benefit from having in her life. Jolene asked what kind of friends we, as special needs parents, would add to this list and after I commented I was asked to take my suggestions and turn them into this guest post you are reading now. This is my list of 10 types of friends any parent of a child living with special needs or would benefit from having in their life.\n\n<em>The Friend With An Older Special Needs Child<\/em>\nThis friend has been on this journey of being a special needs parent a little longer or a lot longer than you have. The experience and wisdom this friend has is priceless. Whether it\u2019s a new diagnosis, surgery, medication, doctor or what have you this friend will be very encouraging and can offer understanding, something a lot of other friends may not be able to do.\n\n<em>The Friend With A Younger Special Needs Child<\/em>\nAll that wisdom and experience the afore-mentioned friend pours into you can be paid forward to this friend. This friend will be looking for support, answers and more...like you were. You will become the first friend mentioned to this person. This is another time among many when looking back on this journey will reveal how much it is truly is worth it.\n\n<em>The Friend With Kids That Do Not Have Special Needs Or No Kids<\/em>\nThis friend has either no children or a child(ren) who\u2019s not diagnosed with any medical issuesand doesn\u2019t seem to care that your child lives with medical issues. This friend genuinely like you and want to be your friend and is willing to embrace all that comes with your friendship\u2013like your family and the special need your child lives with. If this friend has children living without special needs it\u2019s a great chance for some socialized inclusion benefiting their kids and yours. If this friend doesn\u2019t have kids they can treat yours like their own niece\/nephew if not their own son\/daughter\u2026point is they will love and support you and your child because of your friendship.\n\n<em>The Friend With Kids Who Like Your Special Needs Child<\/em>\nThis friend may be one you\u2018d be more acquainted with than friendly in other circumstances. You may have different views on parenting, politics, eating habits and more. However, this friendship is beneficial because it\u2019s birthed out of a desire of their kids to be friends with your child living with special needs. Their kids will go out of their way to talk with, play with, read with, watch movies with and more with your special needs child. That will mean more than how you feel about organic foods or some other topic you may disagree with this friend. The best part is that this friend knows that too and that helps you both build a friendship. Talk about a win_win.\n\n<em>The SpEd\/Resource Friend<\/em>\nWhether it\u2019s whipping out a business card or googling with lightning speed keywords you mentioned in conversation, this friend always seems to have the name, phone number, website and any other information you happen to need on the fly. This person may also happen to be well versed in Special Education either as a parent like the first friend mentioned or as a person working in Special Education themselves. When you need help or encouragement for ARDs, IEPs, 504s and more, these are friends you want to have as their expertise will be very helpful.\n\n<em>The MacGyver Friend<\/em>\nThis friend will adapt, modify or build their own version of durable medical equipment, complete home modifications, and more when it\u2019s too expensive to purchase whoat your child with special needs could use. This friend will help you get or build what you need for your child because they understand and do the same for their own child.\n\n<em>The Hand-Me-Down Friend<\/em>\nClothes, toys, equipment, medical supplies and more, once outgrown and no longer used, are what this friend has to offer...along with friendship. Visits include receiving and\/or swapping items your special needs child could benefit from. This friend provides a means to try before you buy, so you can keep more money in your bank for things like medicines and groceries. This friend's example affords you another opportunity to pay it forward someday.\n\n<em>The Respite Friend<\/em>\nJust when you feel like you are running on empty this friend will be there for you. This friend shows up at the right time, or is already visiting and sees you need a break. What could you possibly do with a break and a respite friend willing to watch your child living with special needs? How about do some chores, run errands, take a nap, take a shower, read a few chapters in a book, buy groceries, or eat a meal? The possibilities are endless with this friend providing the gift of extra time.\n\n<em>The Follow Through Friend<\/em>\nHaving friends is great, but having friends you can count on is even better.<em> I\u2019ll pray for you<\/em> or <em>Call me if you need anything<\/em> are not just clich\u00e9 phrases this friend dishes out because it\u2019s polite. They say it because they mean it. When you call them for something, they do their best to make it happen. When you ask for prayer they actually do it. This journey of parenting a child living with special needs can be full of let downs as often if not more than victories. Having a follow through friend can make let downs feel a bit more victorious just because of their faithfulness.\n\n<em>The Friend Who Knew You Before You Were a Special Needs Parent<\/em>\nIf we are honest, becoming a parent changes us. However, add special needs into the mix, and we change even more. Having a friend that knew us before we started this journey will help us take care of ourselves. We, as parents, all too often can neglect ourselves while we care for our children living with special needs. Often, we are not able to keep friendships from before through, but keep them if you can. It is possible to make new friends who will help you take care of yourself. Be that as it may, a friend that knew you before the life-altering, special needs parenting can encourage you to be the real you instead of parent or a spouse now and then. This friend can help you maintain or discover new hobbies, talents and just provide an emotional or creative outlet.\n<h4>What Friends Would You Add to the List?<\/h4>\nThose are the types of friends I think every special needs parent should want or could benefit from having in their life. One person can encompass one or several of these types, but that\u2019s not important. What is important is that friendship should be put on your to-do list. Just like your child\u2019s feeding schedule or other important daily routines you do for your child living with special needs. Are there any other friends you would list?\n\n<a href=\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DArrona112014.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-11100 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/differentdream.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DArrona112014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"DArrona112014\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>Deborah Arrona is a stay-at-home mom to Aria, a sweet and beautiful tweenage, 25 week micro-preemie survivor. Aria loves music and rolling in her wheelchair outside. She lives with multiple, medically complex special needs such as Periventricular Leukomalacia, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Cortical Visual Impairment and use of a feeding tube. Deborah and her husband, Salvador, are raising Aria together in the Houston area. When Deborah has time she enjoys singing, reading, movies, music and posting updates about Aria at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TeamAriaArrona\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook.com\/TeamAriaArrona<\/a>.\n\nIf you like what you read, you can sign up for the Different Dream RSS feed and quarterly newsletter in the top, right column of this page. Thanks!\n\n<em>Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.<\/em>","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[3559,3615,3583],"tags":[3960,452,3961],"class_list":["post-11046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-different-dream","category-encouragement","category-spiritual-support","tag-deborah-arrona","tag-friendship","tag-premature-birth"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>10 Friends All Special Needs Parents Want<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Special needs parents want friends who will support them in some special ways. 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