Military Special Needs Network
Proudly Supporting all Military Families with a Special Needs Dependent
MSNN: An Incredible Year in Review
As we are in the midst of celebrating the wonderful Holiday season, I just want to take this opportunity to thank each of you – our MSNN Family – for your support, friendship
, camaraderie, companionship, laughter, and everything in between!
When I look back at 2012, I am astonished at what an incredible year it has been for the Military Special Needs Network. I could not be more proud of who we are and what we have accomplished as a community of wonderful military families that have a dependent with special needs. One of the most awesome things I love about MSNN is our diversity. We represent all backgrounds and branches of service. We’re “square pegs” – not quite fitting into any round hole. And we’re OK with that. I love it that a Navy family in Virginia with a child with Down Syndrome can network with an Army family in Alaska who has a child with Autism – and a friendship is formed – not based on differences (God knows we have lots of those), but because we share true commonalities. We are uniquely different, yet the same – all military families trying to navigate the waters of special needs.
I want to briefly talk about just a few of the amazing projects we were able to do this year because of YOU – our members. April was dedicated to spotlighting the accomplishments of our amazing kids. In May, it was the spouses turn to be spotlighted, because you are the glue that holds things together. Snapshots of Success focused on the “can do” instead of the “can’t do.” In November, a group of volunteers put together an incredible toy review guide for children of all abilities. Most of all, we talked, shared our joys and struggles, triumphs, and tragedies. We have sought answers to some pretty difficult questions, searched for advice from fellow families and professionals, and we’ve learned a lot from each other.
In the year to come, 
MSNN will continue to find innovative ways to create meaningful experiences and projects that will truly resonate with our special military families. We will be collaborating with some amazing organizations and developing some great actions plans. We will be expanding our education section and developing webinars and podcasts. We will also be growing our blog network. It is a huge undertaking and we would love your help. If you’re looking for a way to give back and help fellow military families, we would love to work with you. Shoot me a note here.
I want to thank my partners in crime – Miranda Fort and Kelly Hafer. These incredible women have such deep desires to serve our wonderful special needs military community. They have become a lifeline for me, sharing the vision and enthusiasm for MSNN, while bringing remarkable expertise to the table. Even when times are stressful, they not only make the MSNN world possible, but they make it flourish and shine. Kelly and Miranda – you each have enriched my life and I thank you for all that you do. I am forever grateful that you jumped off the cliff with me.
And in closing, I thank our entire MSNN Family from the bottom of my heart for an absolutely amazing year! I am so thankful to have you be part of our community, as we walk together in our journeys of special needs within the military. I wish each of you a joyous and happy new year and I pray that 2013 is a wonderful year for you and your precious family!
Wishing you all the best,
Military Special Needs Network 