Sheryl

Years and years ago I was interviewed by Sheryl to be a mentor family in the LEND (Leadership Education in Neuro-Developmental Disabilities) program.  It is a training program funded through federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau that provides graduate level training of professionals for leadership roles in the provision of health and related care, continuing education, technical assistance, research and consultation.  Basically, it makes SLPs, OTs, MDs, social workers, AuDs, PTs, and Psychs learn what each other do.  It also has each professional follow a family for a year so that they learn what it is really like to raise a child with a disability. 

I started out as a mentor.  I also sat on the autism parent panel where I shared my experiences raising a child with autism.  Then I became the first parent trainee in our hospital's LEND program.  I trained alongside the professionals.  When I first showed up, I could tell they thought it was cute that a parent was there.  By the end of the year, they realized just how much a parent actually understood about disability and what an asset we could be to the team.  Two things really stick out for me from that year.  One, the PT saying that after following a family for a year, she will rethink her recommendations to families.  She finally understood that what she thought would be very easy, was sometimes too much for a family feeling overwhelmed.  Two, the social worker started to come to me for resources.  I actually developed a handout that I know was used for years afterwards.  That experience was also a huge boost to my grad school application. 

I am still a mentor and enjoyed doing it this year because I truly believe it is a hugely beneficial program for both professionals and families.  I would totally do it for free.  Except this year, it turned out I was given a Target gift card.  I would have been happy with $5, but it was more than that! 

Sheryl, thanks for the surprise in the mail.  My popcorn loving family is thrilled!