WINTER 2006
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friends,
I have started this column at least four times, each time from a different perspective. Over the last few months I have been working with families who have parents paralyzed by falls, who have children requiring extremely specialized brain surgery, or needing extensive therapy. Each and every call is unique, yet each is a situation that requires tremendous effort, courage, dedication and determination on the part of the family.
I listen to the frustration, the exasperation, the incredulity at their situations. Frustration is common for parents or children of those with special needs. The feeling is so pervasive and ever present that it is hard to pinpoint what the frustration is about. Mostly, I think it revolves around the constant battle of making life better for their loved one. Sometimes their stories keep me up at night. Yet, I know that I lose less sleep then they do.
I am so inspired by the amazing efforts these families make on behalf of their loved ones. I am also honored to be called upon to assist them on their long journey. My work with the families drives me to be of greater assistance and to continually reassess the ways that SNAP can help. To that end, I am always looking for ways that SNAP can provide more or better information to smooth a family’s way and to show families living with a child who has special needs that they are not alone in their struggles and their triumphs.
In this issue of The SNAP Report, we work to be true to this goal. Dr. Richard Mungo’s informative two-part series on dentistry for patients with special needs concludes in this issue. We also review Gennifer Choldenko’s book, Al Capone Does My Laundry, that received Newberry Book Honorable Mention. Set in 1935, the story revolves around a family of a girl who might today be diagnosed with autism, and the difficulties and joys of their life when they move to Alcatraz Island. If the review interests you in the book, support SNAP and buy it through our website, www.snapinfo.org!
Finally, I want to welcome Michelle Smith and Julie Jernigan to SNAP’s Board. They began to serve late last year. Also, SNAP bids farewell and offers our thank you’s to Anthony Cugini who served on SNAP’s Board for a number of years.
Take care,
Marla |
