 | Connie Zienkewicz has been the executive director for Families Together, Inc. since 1997. She is also the parent of a young lady with intellectual disabilities. Her daughter, Julie, is 20. She enjoys music, interactions with others, uses a wheel chair for mobility, and communicates non-verbally. Connie speaks to many groups and serves on several councils to represent the needs of families in Kansas who are raising a son or daughter with disabilities. You may contact Connie at (316) 945-7747. |
Family Counseling
2006-06-01 09:41:00
Finding help for children
Question: I am a parent of a child with autism and ADHD and my spouse is in the military. My husband and I feel like we do not have any other parents who understand the difficulties of parenting our child. Is there any resource in this community?
ANSWER: Sometimes raising a child with a disability can be very lonely, especially if you have no friends who understand your unique challenges and the joys. When the added stress of changes in duty station and deployments are factored into the equation, it’s often overwhelming. Here are two suggestions:How about a night away to meet other parents who face similar challenges and celebrate similar joys? On June 24-25, Families Together, Inc. is presenting a conference just for Military families who have a son or a daughter with disabilities. This PARENTS – ONLY weekend event will be held in Topeka. It is free to parents and includes a voucher to assist with the cost of childcare expenses. This event will give families an opportunity to meet and network with other families, introduce them to community resources, and give training on accessing educational services. Registration is limited, so you will need to call right away. (1-800-264-6343)Would you like to talk to someone who understands your situation? The Parent-to-Parent program might also be helpful to you and/or your husband. In this program, you would be matched with another parent who has a child with a similar disability. These matches are very informal and are designed to give moral support. Families Together, Inc. is a non-profit organization which serves families all across the state who have children with disabilities. There are four locations, including one in Wichita. Families Together provides conferences and workshops, as well as, individual consultation about special education and other services in the community. You can contact us at the numbers below or through our website at www.familiestogetherinc.org. All the individual services offered by the organization are provided at no cost to parents. A parent information specialist in Wichita can be reached at 945-7747.
