OCR Text |
Show EDeimftigftry Provider A Tri-Ca- re Children and Adults S. Dale Hibbert, DDS Pediatric Dentistry - Photo by Mary Galbraith , ability. Now Available Scott Wall, DDS Arcade Games Jeffrey Hansen, DDS Latest Technology in Pediatric Dentistry Tazmun Heeks, left, and Tyler Allshouse are among The parents of 3 on for base parents of a child with a disthose that will attend one of two new support groups ld General Dentist Adult & Cosmetic Dentistry for Adults Painless Dentistry Leland Pack, DMD Orthodontics (Braces) by Mary Galbraith Hilltop Times staff o n 'Maintain a balance' by DeAnne Allshouse Over 400 base families have a child with some type of disability. Two new parent-ru- n support groups on base will aid those families the Autistic Support Group and Parents of a Child with Disabilities Support Group. The Family Support Center, Bldg. 308N, will launch both programs this month. After the first meeting, groups will be run by parent committees. The Parents of a Child with Disabilities Support Group will meet Oct. 13 from p.m. Tylers mom parents need care, and parent--. ing a child with special needs is a very different story. The period of AH "adjustment is longer and many of our 'hopes and goals may need to be temporarily put aside - or abandoned altogether. The needs and demands are greater and the level of stress is much higher. Thats why I feel our children and their parents require extra alien- tion. For many parents its hard to ask The Autistic Support Groups first meeting is set for Oct. 27 from noon-l:3- 0 p.m. These groups will bring parents together - for help because they feel they should be able to do it on their own, but this to share ideas, services available and pro- - ' T attempt to be totally competent and vide morale support, said liesel Woodard, can result in isola- Information Referral Manager. tion and the very real likelihood of Woodard said parents will likely focus being overwhelmed by unshared buron healthcare costs, financial support, dens and responsibilities. equipment, networking and activities. She I feel the key to parenting a special said its a great opportunity for base perneeds child is trying to maintain a sonnel to meet parents in their same cir-- 1 self-sufficie- nt cumstances. Anyone with access to the base is invited to join the groups. Its very hard and expensive to have a child with a disability, said Woodard, who son with autism. has a Woodard said by joining together, families can share resources and trade supplies children have outgrown. Woodard would also like to see families with older information and feel less isolated because youre surrounded by par-ents going through the same expe- ! Heeks have spent countless hours research- - riences. Groups can provide coping skills and a sympathetic ear alking out problems, worries and fears. Discussing problems and concerns becomes easier when your listeners ' are people whove been in the same . situation. The bottom line is youre going to be the parent of a special needs child no matter what you do, but by taking advantage of every source of help and support, youll be a happier and more effective one. the only reason I not enlisted! -t- children share their experiences. We would like to have people with older kids join because theyve been through it, she said. They can help someone who has younger kids. Thaf s really, really impor- like youre alone and dont realize that there are people going through the same thing until you meet other parents. Senior Airman Jayson and Sonia Heeks son Tazmun was born with an opening between his windpipe and the esophagus, a Patent Ductus Arteriosis of the heart and a two chambered heart, is cortically blind, has hearing loss and brain damage. The a USAA member. But thats Group settings allow you to exchange ld tant. She added that if nothing else, the groups strive to make families feel better about their situation. I didnt want our family to stand out. I didnt want to be different. I wanted my child to be like everybody else and he was. Maybe he wasnt like the kid next door, but he was like the kid two miles down the road, she said. Staff Sgt. James and DeAnne Allshouses son Tyler is cortically blind, has a severe seizure disorder and developmental delays. The family plans to participate in the group and network with other parents. Having a child with a disability can be a very isolating, DeAnne said. You feel Im now balance, and a support group is one of the best ways to get there. - ' Enlisted? You're Eligible, the benefits of USAA are Our broad range of financial and insurance services - including the automobile insurance that established our reputation, with competitive rates and flexible payment options - are all geared to the unique needs of military life And USAAs member service, honed by 75 years of military experience, is second to none. Once you sign up to serve your country - whether you're active duty. National Guard or Reserve - you're eligible tor the service and support only USAA provides. almost worth enlisting ! for. - Call us at ing services available in the local area and hope to share what theyve learned while picking up additional resources at group meetings. I think that parents are the best support systems and teachers for other parents of handicapped kids, Sonia said. And being able to talk to other parents that know what youre going through on a day to day basis really does help. Raising a child with a disability is a lot different than having a normal child. My son is autistic. We wanted a way to reach out to other families, help them and share experiences, said Master Sgt Charles Jones. For details on either group, contact Master Sgt Charles Woodard at Ext Jones can provide additional information on the Autistic Support Group. He can be reached at Ext. We know what it means to serve USAA , 'vmwv ly iwi INSURANCE nos,l ' - INVESTMENTS ....... USAA IO BANKING Mdemnnv ' '1 IA lo- yfoiKiHy Wvauon; 'pay USAA CWv ami casualty C A, .to - MEMBER SERVICES .WXX-.a-.IO- t' l.IMkltV InSUl.HI. USAA. ft! avatWtk- ('nnxwoy ..a cc ..ovcor ,c ava. ahle . all SO Mate- - 251829 10 5 00 The Thrift Shop Needs Your Reusable Items. Call 8381036 to Donate. . |