By Jeff Bell
Parenting is full of challenges. But a Hamilton mother of two adults with disabilities has found hope in an initiative helping parents who have “lived the journey” of caring for special needs children talk to each other.
Maree Hobern, 56, requires full-time care for two of her three children, Anton, 39, who suffers from cerebral palsy, and Paula, 33, who was born with an intellectual disability.
Ms Hobern is helping raise awareness this week for Parent to Parent, a support network of parents of children with disabilities. August 8 to 14 is the organisation’s yearly awareness week.
“It can seem like a really bleak future if there’s no hope,” she says. “But by me being able to share the life my children are now leading really gives other parents hope that something is possible.”
Ms Hobern says the encouragement and assistance of others has helped build a life for her children, who might otherwise not have the opportunities they do now.
“We’ve created a circle of friends for Anton, and he has all these wonderful people in his life who take him to rugby, swimming, cricket and to cafés.
“He leads the most amazing life and yet he’s a man with quite significant needs.”
MP Tariana Turia visited one of Anton’s friend circle meetings on Monday, and Hobert says she was impressed by the strong relationships he had developed in the community.
Parent to Parent is a 26-year-old nationwide organisation that supports the parents and siblings of children with special needs.
Parents are matched with other parents in the area, and regional groups meet at different times throughout the year to discuss issues and offer support to the others.
In Anton’s case, families will meet about every three months to discuss upcoming events for him, and then make plans to take him out, divvying up the planning, activities and caretaking.
Occasional workshops are also run to help provide skill and advocacy training for families whose children all have the same condition.
The organisation’s awareness week includes a road show around the upper North Island and other regional events around the country.
Spokesperson for the organisation, Venessa Rice, says the response to the events has been positive.
“It’s just getting the word out there,” says Rice.
“A lot of parents still don’t know we exist, and dealing with disability is something people don’t seek out unless they actually need help around it.
More information can be found at the organisation’s website.
Jeff Bell is a journalism student at AUT University