Mary’s story
When my son Owen was first diagnosed, it seemed that everyone around me had advice for me and in the past we had always been a very private family. I was also a very shy, quiet person and at the time was feeling like a ‘mess’. I heard about Parent to Parent through one of the parents from my daughter’s school whom I had met. Her sister was a Family Facilitator with Parent to Parent. At the time I didn’t even realise I wanted help, just wanted to do it alone with my husband. The good thing was that Parent to Parent was not pushy and just left me do what I had to do which I truly appreciated.
One day after a few months a small group was being formed with people I knew from school and I decided to attend to see what it was about. At times it was still difficult for me to open up but the workshop part of the group was really good and I benefited greatly from these. I became more open and have since joined other support groups and have been away on a retreat and find that because of the support of Parent to Parent I have been able to talk to others about my son and my feelings. We put together a one page profile for Owen and also an Essential Lifestyle Plan and that has been fantastic. When people look after Owen they know his needs and how to respond to him and also if he has seizures, it’s all there.
I now feel much better when leaving him with others, before I had a plan, I was not comfortable that others would know what to do. When issues about schooling came up not long ago, I was feeling really stressed and rang the Family Facilitator who didn’t hesitate to come over and that felt great to have that support. I was then able to face the schools and put forward questions that I needed to ask with more confidence.
My husband was home that day and was very impressed with the support and happy that Parent to Parent was there for me. I was then introduced to another Parent to Parent Facilitator and out of that meeting, I felt even more validated and the work I did was acknowledged to the point that I am feeling so much more confident and reassured that I am doing okay and about to go to another retreat where I know now I will be able to join in well, after the workshops and support I have had from Parent to Parent.