Center for Family Involvement Blog
The Center for Family Involvement works with families to increase their skills as advocates, mentors, and leaders so that people with disabilities and their families can lead the lives they want.
Our blog shares snippets of the unique journeys many of us are on – from the celebrations, struggles, joys, pains, and more.
CELEBRATE THIS QUARANNIVERSARY BY JOINING OUR WELLNESS CHEER ON!
One year into this lockdown. Our first quaranniversary. 12 months of high anxiety. 12 months agonizing over so many 'what if' scenarios. 12 months of nonstop caregiving: no reprieve, no respite; just giving it all to care for everyone, every single day. Living under...
REDEFINING RESILIENCE
By Valerie James Abbott In mid-December 2020, my husband texted me a photo of some crocus coming up through decaying leaves in our backyard. It was followed by a piece of dry humor - something about Spring must be coming soon. I didn’t find his message funny. ...
PLEASE, JUST GIVE US A SHOT
It is appalling that individuals with disabilities and the family members that serve as their caregivers are not being prioritized in the coronavirus vaccine rollout. Across the country, we are being turned away. We are spending hours crafting emails, making...
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
By Valerie James Abbott There was a time when I didn’t really understand why representation mattered. I knew that when it came to toys, books and everyday things we see and experience that children might prefer toys or characters that look more like themselves, but I...
I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT
“I don’t know how you do it.” Parents like us hear this statement all the time. My standard COVID reply has become, “I’m not.” It’s been almost a year in lockdown. And parents of kids with disabilities are not OK. We feel forgotten. In many states,...
HOW WILL THEY REMEMBER US DURING THIS TIME?
Being a calm, rational, attentive parent in these times is simultaneously important and impossible. As if a raging pandemic weren’t enough, we now have an attempted coup, what appears to be a potential long-term insurgency right here in the United States of America,...
15 WAYS TO GET THROUGH THE DARKEST OF WINTERS
There is no getting around it, this winter is going to be difficult. We are facing some dark days – literally and figuratively. Now is the time to stay home and embrace the suck. There’s nothing wrong with making the best of it while acknowledging how hard...
WHEELING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
If ever we needed a snow day, it’s now. The pristine white, the cushioned quiet, the calm, and for the kids (and the kid in all of us) the magical play. For many, it’s not as simple as putting on snow gear and heading out the door. That’s especially true...
(STAY) HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The widespread inequities and ableism that 2020 has brought to the surface is palpable. Palpable – a feeling so intense it seems tangible. Do you feel it? How is it manifesting inside of you? Anger? Frustration? Sadness? Exhaustion? All of the above? Perhaps the worst...
FORGET THE FUTURE: OUR YOUTH ARE ALREADY LEADING
By Angela West Do you remember when you were little and you played “Follow the Leader?" I was so excited when I got to be the leader and led my friends to do fun things around the playground. I felt so confident because my friends were taking direction from me. ...