From Wendy: When you have a dependent with special medical and/or education needs, you are faced with the constant challenge of finding information, resources and services. When faced with facts that may seem daunting, it’s really easy to feel helpless… and overwhelmed.  I wish I could say that I’ve always felt empowered, but I would be lying.  I have struggled with feeling vulnerable and powerless when it comes to Addie and her care.  In the beginning, I relied on her physicians – they were her “experts” – not me.  I struggled with trusting my own instincts as her mother. Then I had the “Ah Ha” moment that most of us have when we decide to trust our gut.  I stood up to Addie’s doctors and said, “No.  You can’t sedate her four times a year.  No, you can’t take any more blood out of her bruised heel.  No, you can’t treat her like a guinea pig anymore.”  I felt EMPOWERED because I AM her Advocate.  Her voice.  Her legs.  Her arms.  Empowerment leads to a stronger sense of confidence in one’s own abilities.  I know that for me, the biggest benefit of being part of MSNN is knowing that I always have someone to talk to who can relate, who understands what it feels like to deal with deployments and doctor appointments, and shows me that life does indeed, go on…just in a different direction.  I have learned through being part of MSNN how to put aside my fears of raising a child with special needs while living a military life.  I am EMPOWERED to do more and advocate for other military families. MSNN is here to EMPOWER all of our military families.  We aim to provide you with the access to resources, information, and peer-to-peer support and guidance that you may need.  We want to inspire and encourage you to reach out, seek advice, stand up, and be successful, thriving military families.  And most of all, we want you to know that we will stand right beside you, hold your hand, walk through the doors with you, and support your entire journey in this special needs world. The Military Special Needs Network FB page is filled with amazing stories, tips, and information for all of our special military families.  We ask that you please “like” our page in order to interact with other families, make connections, learn new things, and be part of our amazing, empowered community.