Parents of children with medical needs often feel they aren’t receiving the support they need in their parenting journey because it’s hard for the people around them, who don’t have medically complex kiddos, to understand the struggle.
Parenting is hard, regardless. But, when you have a child with medical needs, everything is different.
My four-year-old son and two-year-old daughter were both born with a cleft palate and underdeveloped jaw. So, we have spent many days at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and we see multiple clinics there.
Both of them had to undergo reconstructive surgery at 15 months old. That was incredibly hard as a mama because, as parents know, we never want to see our babies struggle. Although there are many days where I feel helpless, frustrated or defeated, I know I am one of the luckier medical mamas.
I am part of a community on Facebook called Parents of Alberta Children’s Hospital, and some of the conditions these parents deal with are unimaginable. Some have even lost their babies along the way.
These parents need extra support, whether it’s therapy, respite, help through the education system, or funding for medical equipment and the gas and parking bills that pile up from driving to multiple appointments.
There are a number of supports available through provincial- and federal-funded programs, like Family Supports for Children with Disabilities and Program Unit Funding. For Airdrie families, there is also a local foundation that helps preschool-aged children with special needs through school.
A Heart for Children Foundation was founded by speech-language pathologist Candyce Ibbott-Nye in 2016 after she saw a need for more support in the community. The not-for-profit organization is funded by Alberta Education and supports children with developmental delays and disabilities from two years and eight months old, up to age six.
According to Ibbott-Nye, the organization operates in three Airdrie classrooms, providing families with individualized programming to support their children through speech and language, fine motor, gross motor, and sensory and behavioural therapy. Not many services offer these kinds of supports inside the classroom.
“Early intervention is critical for the children we support,” says Ibbott-Nye. “With the growing population and increased rates of autism, we feel there is a big need, not only in Airdrie but the surrounding areas.
“Many families have previously had to travel to Calgary for the type of services we are providing. Airdrie families deserve to have choices for where to access early intervention support.”
My son was diagnosed with global developmental delay shortly before his third birthday, so he struggles in multiple areas. He is currently in his second year of preschool in Airdrie and requires supports at school. Having access to services like speech therapy and occupational therapy has been essential in his early education experience.
Medical parents: there are resources available. You are not alone.
For more information about the foundation, visit heartforchildrenfoundation.com.
