Parenting an Adult with Disability or Special Needs Book Review
Written by Peggy Lou Morgan
My son is 10 years old. I have plenty of time before I need to start thinking about transitioning my son to an adult lifestyle. At least, that is what I thought before I read this book. The earlier you start planning, the better off your child will be. I can’t say it will be easier to transition your child, because it won’t. There are so many things you have to take into consideration and you also need to plan for the eventuality of life for your child without you.
This book helped give me an idea of what I will be facing when my child is an adult. It also left me asking myself a lot of questions. These questions included “Will my son be able to move out and live independently? Will he need to live in a facility where he will get constant one on one help? Will he be able to live in an apartment or house with roommates?” I can’t answer those questions yet. My son is still making great strides in his abilities. At this time, with his abilities where they are, he would have to be in a facility where he would get 24 hour one on one care.
“There are so many unknowns, not only in your child’s future but in your own as well. Fear of the unknown is very difficult to live with. There are many things you can do make sure your adult child gets the level of support he needs and that allows him to live a life that is fulfilling to him. As you arrive at the conclusion that you have done everything possible to document your knowledge of your child and help him to establish a quality adult life, you will feel much more at peace.”
This is a direct quote from the book. It is one of the main points the author tries to put across to her reader. Being prepared, document your wishes, document your child’s needs are essential, not only in preparing your child to live an adult life, but to ensure your child’s security when you are no longer there.
The author provides information about setting up and keeping up to date a Last Will and Testament as well as how to choose an advocate, guardian or trustee for your child. There are many factors that go into determining what to put into your Will. An attorney with experience in this area can help you. Good documentation of your child’s income, abilities, likes and dislikes, and medical situation is important.
Peggy Lou Morgan takes you through how to document everything about your child. She stresses the importance of documentation of everything that has to do with your child. I agree with this. No one knows your child as well as the parent. When the parent is gone, there needs to be a written record of all areas of the child. This will help aid others in giving your child the care needed.
Peggy fills the book with a lot of helpful information along with personal stories of her adult child. She outlines ways to help prepare for transitioning your child, how to pick a suitable residence, and how to train staff to work with your child. She even stresses the importance of including your child in the plans for the future. There are many factors that you need to take into account and can be addressed beginning when your child is young. I recommend reading this book, no matter what age your child is. It has helped me get a better understanding of what the future holds. I also now know what I can do now to help my son in the future.
This Giveaway will run from April 4, 2009 to April 10, 2009. The winners will be announced on April 11, 2009. This giveaway is for USA only. Below are rules for entering this giveaway. One winner will be chosen. One book per winner. Open to USA. Good luck.
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