With each day, Mary is more depressed. Every morning she wakes up thinking she is going to school. Her Mom tries to help her understand but she just can’t. She misses her teacher, her friends, and the ride on the school bus that she loves so much!
We’ve all felt the sting of those 3 words… STAY AT HOME.
For families with Special Needs, it’s not just an option, there is no other choice.
Like Mary, many of our children and adults have compromised immune systems. If they get sick, it could be more than their bodies can handle. Parents feel the enormous weight of trying to protect them as much as possible.
Before I entered the world of special needs parenting, I thought that people who had development delays, didn’t feel the same things that the rest of the world feels. I guess I thought that they were somehow sheltered from the pain of everyday life.
Because many individuals are non verbal and express their fear or pain differently, many people think “they don’t feel.” They think that individuals with special needs aren’t affected by this crisis.
That is so far from the truth. In fact, the rate of depression among those with special needs has sky rocketed since covid 19 entered our world.
Think about it, our individuals have very few relationships but those they have are so important to them.
For the school age person, the routine of school is something they look forward too. They bond with their classmates and many times their teachers are like family to them. They have not been able to attend school for 3 months now!
For the adult with special needs who attends a day center or work program, many of them wake up every morning only to realize that they won’t be going to socialize with their peers, again. Church and family gatherings are no longer possible and many of them haven’t left their homes in months.
Depression from social isolation can present itself in many different ways. Symptoms can include but are not limited to;
Behavioral Outbursts
Lack of appetite
Insomnia
Excessive sleep
Separation Anxiety
What can families do to help?
*One very important step to take is to remind your loved one that things won’t always be this way.
*Face time or video chats are wonderful ways to allow them to “see” the people who are important to them.
*Try to keep a routine, even though you are staying at home, give them something to look forward too.
As a community, we can also help! Most individuals with special needs love to get mail!
As a way to encourage our friends with special needs, we are starting a Share the Love mail program.
Here’s how it works:
Grab a card and write a note of encouragement for an individual with special needs and mail it to: The Breathe Organization at PO Box 2995 Moultrie Ga. 31776 or go to our website and leave your note. You can also leave a donation for the postage and you can even choose a care package on our website to help keep them busy while they wait for this storm to pass.
We will mail your care package to people with special needs all over the world!
Join us and you may discover a secret that I learned a long time ago… When I encourage others, it also encourages me!
I can’t wait to get your encouraging notes!
If you know an individual with special needs who needs encouragement, send their address to:
nettie@thebreatheorganization.org
Together we can make sure that Mary and all of our friends with special needs, know that they are not alone.
Blessings, Nettie