Family Bridges - Parents Sessions Day 1 Report
Our first session took place Oct 29 in Mexico City at the Centro de Atención a la Discapacidad Infantil "La Gaviota”. The first 5 families to attend have children that study at this specialized center. Each family has a child living with a chronic illness (Down’s Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, etc.) along with at least one other child that does not live with a chronic illness or condition.
This first day was structured to open a door for shared introspection regarding what the condition of their children means to them as a family. Our field director, Dr. Olivia, reports that most parents were not aware that their struggles are shared by the other participating families. Before listening to each other share about their personal challenges and hardships they felt “alone”.
A heartbreaking finding is that when the parents were asked about their children, they automatically started speaking about the one with the illness even though the questions were explicitly about the child/children without a chronic health condition. Dr. Judith had to gently and frequently redirect them into speaking about their healthy children. This is perhaps the strongest argument for our workshops. It was this particular issue that was impressed upon our hearts from our experiences with families at Camp Laughing Child. These parents are simply not used to being asked about their children living without a chronic condition.
Dr. Olivia reports that unexpectedly it was especially difficult for parents to talk about themselves. It is almost as if a total, unnatural, disassociation with self has taken place. These parents have—understandably—poured all of themselves into the child with special needs, having left aside their healthy child, along with self. Though true that as Christians we are meant to die to self, as we read in Mark 12:31: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.” These families are nurturing healthy relationships with God, self, between spouses, and with all their children.
Dr. Olivia reports that the closing was deeply emotional. She actually has requested to add facial tissues to the budget for subsequent workshops. The parents were very moved and feel as if their lives have already been enriched from the first session. Our second session takes place today, Nov 5. The participating parents have asked permission to invite others to attend today’s session.
Our ministry respects and protects the identities of the families which we serve. You can expect that the bulk of our photographs will obscure the faces of our participating family members.
Please join us in prayer for our team and our participating families.
A Molina
