VIP PARENTS
“We have almost no where to turn and we are in a situation that is extremely trying. Madeline was up most of last night screaming. Molly was up the night before, yelping. Meghan is home with the flu, but is non-verbal, so we didn’t know she was sick until she was very sick. As you know, this is sooooo tiring. And I like to think I have endless energy and hope, but I do not so I need to reach out to others for help. As I see it, we are all one big family when it comes to raising Meghan, Molly, and Maddie. Matt and I are the everyday people, and you are the line behind us. You all are what gives us strength to get up every night with one or all of them.
When we see something in the paper about parents who lose it, we always say “why didn’t they ask for help?” so I am saying “HELP,” yet so few care to hear us. But you all do, and it’s appreciated more than can be expressed. I need to just have quiet sometimes–to clear my head and to not be responsible. I need to sit down and eat. I need to take a shower. I need to see my husband as a husband and not a fellow caretaker. When he is away, I need to regroup and start over and get my house cleaned and ready for the rest of the weekend. We need to go to the store and be able to shop and stay at the store for as long as we need to without leaving because of a tantrum.
These are things that are actually vital to us as a functioning family. We moved here for Princeton House Charter School, so we have no family here that can help us. You have become our family, and we now rely upon you as family.”
-Matt and Dianne, VIP Parents
“I will never be able to put into words how I came to the church broken and feeling that no one would be able to understand what a single mom with a special needs child goes through or even needs. But, the Lord has totally worked and used you all to bring hope, encouragement, joy, love, and compassion to someone that has been on this road for a long time and was getting weary and tired. I will never be able to thank you enough for being Jesus’ hands and feet to us.”-Tammy, VIP Parent
“Buddy Break is such a gift for my family! My kids have found a place where they fit right in, are cared for, and loved in ways that sometimes I, as an exhausted mom, just can’t do. My son with special needs has a wonderful time playing with his Buddy and his sibling gets to talk to other children “like me, with a special brother or sister.” Meanwhile, I have time to get a few things done, reconnect with friends, or even just sit still with a sense of peace so that I can be a stronger and better parent. Thank you so much for all you do. I am incredibly grateful!”
-Lucette, VIP Parent
