DPPI Journal 68: Spring 2010
Photo of Liz Jackson with her husband Ali and daughter Maddy. See Labour of love: the power of faith
From the editor
Two main themes run through this issue. The first is about support – negotiating support, and access to it. Too often, disabled parents are made to feel that they are required to prove themselves capable of parenting, and that asking for support may be judged as a sign of weakness or lack of parenting ability. Identifying the right support, and, critically, gaining access to it, can be extremely difficult and require determined negotiation. Awareness of the needs of disabled parents, good information and signposting to services are important factors in this process. Access to the right support can greatly enhance a disabled parent’s quality of life and that of their family.
A second theme is communication – especially the need for clear, open and honest communication – between service providers and disabled parents, and among service providers themselves. Parents need appropriate, sensitive services that do not make assumptions about their ability to parent, and joined-up support that meets their needs.
Christine Winwood