Military Special Needs Network
Proudly Supporting all Military Families with a Special Needs Dependent
May 29, 2012: Honoring Kelly Hafer – Military Spouse of the Day!
Kelly is a Navy wife, married to her high school sweetheart for over sixteen years. The Hafer family is currently stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.
Kelly’s favorite part about being a military spouse is the incredible military community. “I love learning from the more experienced wives, as well as helping out the newbies,” sa…ys Kelly. Another favorite part of military life for her is homecomings. “Is there anything more powerful? You can almost touch the love and emotions while you’re waiting pier side when the ship pulls in. Wives and children crying, grabbing onto their sailor…I love it!”
If Kelly could go back and give herself a bit of advice before becoming a military spouse she would tell herself that the mission comes first. “The ship, machinery and duty will always be number one. And that’s okay. At the end of the day, it’s you he comes home to.”
Kelly is a phenomenal advocate for not only her children, but for all EFM families. Prior to Kelly and her husband adopting their two boys with special needs, she saw firsthand that agencies allowed children like hers to fall through the cracks while in the foster care system. Teachers and advocates let them down, too, and Kelly realized that her children deserved more. They deserved someone to advocate on their behalf and fight for their needs. She says, “These boys are mine and my responsibility. Never again will they wait for someone else to “get around” to thinking about them or advocating for them. My husband and I will make sure these boys get everything they need to be the best they can possibly be.”
Kelly’s extraordinary advocacy for her own children led her to begin writing about her journey and the many adventures they’ve been through. She has a wonderful blog – “Unplanned Trip to Holland” and writes for other sites, including mytidewatermoms.com, and has produced many articles for other publications. Kelly is a member in many EFM Support Groups in her area, and is also the Marketing and Public Relations Director for the Military Special Needs Network. She strives to lend a helping hand to all military families with an EFM dependent to let them know they’re not alone. “No one knocks on your door and tells you about programs available for your family. I think it’s my ultimate duty to help all families find the resources they need to make their lives more successful.”
The Military Special Needs Network honors and salutes Kelly Hafer as the Military Spouse of the Day! We thank you for being such a wonderful military spouse and an amazing advocate for special needs!
Military Special Needs Network 