troubleshooter dimwitted: matthew's house abbotsford: support for parents and respite

Monday, August 13, 2012

matthew's house abbotsford: support for parents and respite

One of the hardest things to do is parenting a child. I say it?s hard because well ? it truly is. Loving this tiny person from the moment they are born, always worrying about them, making sure they are fed properly, healthy, happy both emotionally and mentally and that no matter what. They are safe from harm.

Even harder than just parenting a child is parenting a child with special ?abilities? I like to call them or ?needs?. ?From the moment our children are born, we know deep down inside something may not be right but it doesn?t matter. The love we shelter for them holds no boundaries, no regrets and rewards with every smile and moment shared with one another. ?Still? sometimes all parents, no matter what is happening, need a break from things.

What is Matthew?s House?

Matthew?s House is an organization that will provide respite for children with life-limiting disabilities. It is the first of its kind in Abbotsford as, within a campus of care, it offers children a safe, welcoming place where they can stay, while allowing their parents time to rest. It will offer long and short term respite based on the needs of individuals and their families.?Matthew?s House is?Inspired by a boy?whose family wish to stay very involved in his life but also understand that to give him the quality care he needs, they must occasionally step back and let others help.?Matthew?s House is not an institution. Its intention is to create a place for children who receive support there that reminds them of home, and honours each family?s beliefs and desires for their child?s care.?Matthew?s House will be run by experienced nurses and staff through Communitas Supportive Care, an organization that for over 35 years has provided various resources to persons living and dealing with mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities.

After a wonderful dinner this evening with my family and neighbors, I spoke with one of my neighbors when I learned she had recently lost her son who had special needs and how she?d cared for him for so many years, alone and without much help and that she is now an advocate and volunteer to this wonderful project ? called Matthew?s House. And although Trace has minor ?special abilities? I knew immediately I wanted to get involved.

I absolutely love their logo: ?A Place for Children Living with Disabilities and the Parents Who Support Them.?

Raising a special needs child isn?t easy by any means. It?s hard work, not just emotionally and physically but spiritually and many parents find themselves at a loss without the proper help for respite or care, and they are often left on the doorstep to handle everything themselves until eventually a burn-out comes. ?Matthew?s House is going to help ease that burden.

Matthew?s Story

You can read Matthew?s story and how Matthew?s House became a reality for those parents raising a child with severe special needs or disabilities. It?s an amazingly courageous story and one that is felt through the heart.

You don?t have to be a special needs parent to understand the loss, the lonliness, the guilt, the isolation, the lack of energy and time it takes to raise such incredible human beings, blessed by God in his own uniqueness to show us all there is a tenderness in this world that needs to be embraced.

If you would like to donate to Matthew?s House (please do so) and help this incredible cause and resource for people in BC. You can also follow all the latest news on Matthew?s House Facebook?and on Twitter @matthews_house

I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are 100% my own. I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and hope you will share it with others to help this great cause.