03/03/2026
What an inspiration! Barbara's sister writes,"...my sister reads, writes, knows how to work an iPad, dances, swims extremely well, has wonderful manners is extremely polite. Loves to volunteer ...she's worked at many food banks, a lunch program that served meals, a veteran's luncheon, and being my co-teacher in ASL classes...her hobbies are going out to lunch, working her job at the Exceptional Bean one day a week, playing bingo at the senior center and going to exercise at the YMCA. And when the weather's nice she loves to swim at the Y also.
What I would want to share with other people, and something I learned as I have grown in my capacity as caregiver, is that even though she is special, she has feelings too. I can't expect her to be happy happy every single day. I'm not. So it's okay if she's having a sad day, or she's a little tired, or she's feeling stubborn, or frustrated, that it's okay . That it's not my job to make her happy happy all the time.
e your child's greatest advocate, cheerleader, don't back down. There are so many resources, and people can get overwhelmed. I know, I have fought with the government so much for resources, and making sure she has everything she needs. Don't back down. Do your research, keep detailed documentation of every phone call, every interaction. My sister has such a good quality of life right now because of all the things that are available and we need to look at what is available and then fight for the things that we still want for our special needs family member."- Christine, Barbara's sister
