The tag line of the Ryan House logo reads: hope, courage, love, care & friendship. Today I'm thinking about "hope".
It is my hope that those families that need to recharge their batteries will find their way to Ryan House. I personally cannot imagine the day to day requirements of being a parent of a child with life-limiting conditions. My children are all but grown now and I vaguely recall their infancy as a lot of work. What affects me the most about these families is there is NEVER a break. Their children can't have sleepovers, or playdates. Even when napping, they must be monitored. I know parenting is 24/7, but my children were able to grow to be independant. These children will never do that, and the 24/7 care they require never ends.
Hope is what Ryan House can provide to these families. Hope that they can recharge, refocus, and regroup with the rest of their family. Hope they can find the strength within themselves to deal with journey they've been given.
I am humbled by the valor these families demonstrate. They are an inspiration to me and my family.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Holly Says....
As much as Ryan House, and similar programs throughout the country, will promote a quality of life for those children visiting who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, care at the house will embrace siblings and parents or family caregivers as well.
When families care for a life-limited child, that care is often 24 hours a day over many years. Families can feel extremely isolated and under enormous emotional, physical and financial strain. Family relationships can suffer, a parent's career may have to be abandoned, well brothers and sisters often feel left out, and typical family activities can become impossible.
Whether by way of a relaxing moment in the spa, or by mixing slime and making a mess as typical children do, caregivers and siblings can enjoy life alongside others who are facing similar situations. In those moments, they can live knowing that, although life may be short, joy can be found in the years, weeks, days, hours, or even moments ahead...
When families care for a life-limited child, that care is often 24 hours a day over many years. Families can feel extremely isolated and under enormous emotional, physical and financial strain. Family relationships can suffer, a parent's career may have to be abandoned, well brothers and sisters often feel left out, and typical family activities can become impossible.
Whether by way of a relaxing moment in the spa, or by mixing slime and making a mess as typical children do, caregivers and siblings can enjoy life alongside others who are facing similar situations. In those moments, they can live knowing that, although life may be short, joy can be found in the years, weeks, days, hours, or even moments ahead...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
