support for parents and caregivers
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As a parent, you may find it comforting to
know that these strong emotions can help
you cope, and at the same time can help you
begin to take action to help your child. For
example, denial may keep you from feeling
overwhelmed by the sudden changes in your
life. Some parents say that anger or frustration
has given them energy to help their child and
to reach out and help other families of children
with disabilities.
You, your partner, and your family will
probably feel some of these emotions and
react to them in different ways. It is best to
let each person feel the emotions in his or her
own way, without judgment.
Touli feels angry
that this has
happened, but I feel
sad all the time.
These emotions will slowly become less strong. Over time, you will
begin to realize that your child has the same needs for love, affection,
discipline, and
learning as other
children. And, like
all children, she
will give you much
support, pleasure
and joy. The fact
that she cannot see
well will become less
important.
Look at how
much joy her
brother gets
from playing
with Delphine!
How could I have
ever thought
she would be a
burden to our
family?
What if she
can’t keep up
with the other
children?
Many of these emotions will probably return at
important times in your child’s life, like when
she starts school. The fact that they come back
does not mean something
is wrong. It just means
that you are going
through another
period of adapting
to your child and her
disability. Usually the
emotions will be less
strong than the first
time you had them.
helping children who are blind