Week of June 10, 2013
Prayer Requests
Caring for Your
Special-Needs Child
Dear Friends:
It's understandable, but unfortunate, that the emphasis
on caregiving for an aging parent or spouse can
overshadow another truly heroic group of individuals who
provide care for decades. I'm referring to the
parents of a child with special needs. And, often, to
that child's siblings, both when they're youngsters and
when they're adults.
Sometimes that need is clearly visible, such as when
there's a physical problem. And sometimes it's nearly
invisible or unknown to others except for family and
close friends. That might include an emotional or mental
illness, for example.
The definition for "family caregiver" is broad and deep
because the variety of needs within a family are both
those, too.
If you're the parent of a son or daughter with special
needs, if you're that person's brother or sister,
grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other family member, we
want you to know that when we say members of the Friends
of St. John the Caregiver are praying for you and your
care-receiver we mean you. And we mean your
care-receiver.
You and your loved one remain in my prayers, too.
- - -
And speaking as
the parent of child with special needs . . . Years ago
Monica and I got to know the founder and director of the
Sibling Support Project. It's a wonderful service to
families! Our two youngest attended Sibshops and later
our daughter helped with the program. You can find out
more here.
- - -
This
week we're so pleased to welcome Blon M. from Indiana as
the newest member of the Friends of St. John the
Caregiver. Please keep him and his intentions in your
prayers. He has promised to pray for you and yours.
And we cordially invite you to join
the Friends of St. John
the Caregiver! (FSJC's programs include
YourAgingParent.com and
CatholicCaregivers.com.) You can find out more about
becoming a member here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that
you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include
caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both
(including quite a few former caregivers).
You can:
sign up on-line here
or call us toll-free at
1-800-392-JOHN (5646)
or
print and mail an application form.
God
bless you!
Bill
To
contact us
To
join
FSJC
To make a
donation
To view or make
prayer
requests
Materials
order form
Past
"Dear Friends"
letters
"Among Friends" quarterly newsletter
