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Networks >
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Anna's Network
“No disability precludes relationships”
I heard this quote from a LifeSPAN forum I once attended. It has
been the foundation of my commitment to LifeSPAN and my belief in
helping establish a network for my daughter, Anna. It is hard to
believe that a year has passed since our first network meeting, but
it has and we celebrated its anniversary on October 14th. The first
year seemed to go slow. We had a bit of a minor setback in losing
our facilitator early on. But LifeSPAN was right there for us and
found a wonderful replacement in Leslee Currie. And now looking
back, I begin to see the sprouts from the seed of the
network/relationship that has been planted.
Anna communicates in subtle ways: a sweet smile for yes, a
scrunch of her nose for no, lifting her head with acknowledgement, a
slight raise of her hand to say hello, a peripheral gaze. It is not
always easy to determine what she is communicating and people
sometimes have a difficult time connecting with her. Life before the
network was comfortable for Anna, but a bit isolated. Through the
meetings members have gotten to know Anna better. She now has a
community of friends that also contribute to her life, have taken an
interest in it and have concern for her well-being. I have noticed
members having a special bond with Anna that they didn’t have
before.
Sixteen wonderful people have come together for four meetings so
far, one every three months. We brainstorm ways to enhance Anna’s
life, celebrate, and because of Anna’s love of music have now
started singing together at the meetings. Members have established
great ways to correspond: a wonderful newsletter that is emailed to
everyone, a beautiful profile of Anna on myspace where members can
read about Anna’s interests and a calendar to see what she is up to
amongst other things, and a phone reminder to help remind busy
members about the next meeting. Relationships have even blossomed
and deepened amongst members too. With this establishment of
communication, information, and community, members are more easily
able to be a part of Anna’s life. Ideas are forming about finding
musicals and activities that Anna will enjoy, understanding Anna’s
life and ways members can be a friend.
There will probably be set-backs along the way but I have faith
that Anna’s network will continue to grow thru the years because of
the foundation that has been laid, the relationships that have been
nurtured. We are indeed grateful. We should all be lucky enough to
have our own network that gathers regularly to celebrate our lives
with relationship.
written by Julie, Anna's Mom, 11/2007
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Here's Anna and other LifeSPAN friends at
LifeSPAN's first Cookie Baking and Exchange in 2006. |
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| Anna and network member at LifeSPAN BBQ at
Golden Gardens, July, 2007 |
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