Military Special Needs Network
Proudly Supporting all Military Families with a Special Needs Dependent
Coming Home
All things considered, our circuitous cross-country PCS move will total approximately 4,000 fun-filled miles. That’s right, four THOUSAND miles from the mid-Atlantic to New England, a pit stop in the mitten state, and ending on the west coast. It’s been a challenging, patience-testing, and hair-pulling kind of trip, but there have been some bright stops. Visiting family, celebrating a wedding, and showing off our beautiful children have been incredible experiences.
As incredible as it is to be with family, throughout the various legs of our journey, I’ve also had the chance to meet numerous special needs bloggers and friends of MSNN: face-to-face! Just so I can make you all jealous, let me do a little name-dropping: we had playdates with Lexi from MostlyTrueStuff and her beautiful family, we traveled to The SenseAbility Gym and hung out with Alysia and Co. I met Jessica and Kristi. I snuck up to Providence, RI to visit Military Special Needs Network’s very own Miranda Fort. And, miracle of miracles, I was able to escape with Kim R. for a moms-only lunch. These ladies are incredible women, parents, writers, and advocates for their children; I’m more than a bit awestruck and amazed that we travel in the same circle.
For those who have yet to connect “in real life” with your online besties, let me tell you – it’s even better than you’ve imagined. Spending time sitting around with other special needs parents is another kind of coming home. No need to explain the hyper focus, sensory overload, or quirky behavior. The solidarity and understanding from those who are traveling down the same special road as your family provide such a comfort. They get it. And you get it. And you discover that although your children are all different, and have different ICD9 codes, their similarities always seem to outweigh the differences.
In the dark ages of our diagnostic processes, the loneliness was unbearable. I am so grateful for the online special needs community, and I encourage those of you who are in the same area to do whatever you can to meet up with each other when at all possible. You’ll come away feeling reinvigorated and your spirit will be renewed. You will be ready to kick IEP butt, fight for that second opinion, or just bask in the fact that you are not alone.
One comment on “Coming Home”
Comments, discussion and insight always welcome!
Military Special Needs Network 
Ya.. you are right. This is the another phase of the coin for military people.