It’s the Giving Season

Giving allows anyone to stop for a moment and think of another person’s need in place of their own.  Now, this isn’t always easy for some people because life can be so overwhelming that thinking of someone else may or may not be the first thing to come to mind.

Did you know that the National Retail Federation documented that $789.4 billion were spent for Christmas 2020?  A lot of purchases were spent on gift Giving.  Additionally, charitable giving in the United States reached a record of $471 billion in 2020., according to Fortune magazine.  What does that mean? It simply means that lots of generous, kind-hearted, and loving people want to make a difference. 

When thinking about it, giving to someone else brings joy to your heart and theirs.  Giving provides a generous act of kindness.  Who doesn’t like to be kind?  In our ever-changing world, Giving has changed.  As a matter of fact, it has increased because the needs of others have been expanded. 

We all can give something to others.  Giving takes on many diverse methods but with the same meaning.  You can give your time, a smile, money, kind words, resources, or a listening ear.  All of these are forms of Giving. Let’s take a moment to think of one person to whom you can give something.  Here’s the beautiful thing about giving there no restrictions. 

As an organization, we are asking for Giving in the forms of money, volunteering, access to valuable resources, and a host of other ways.  Will you take a moment to give to someone else and help make that person’s life better?  At Jeremiah’s Voice, we love to bring hope to others by giving them practical and inspirational resources to help those living with a disability live beyond their disability.

If you simply want to GIVE, here is one way you can.  Support our Hope for the Holidays program, where our focus is to help families live beyond their disabilities.  We provide catered meals and age-specific and disability-appropriate holiday gifts.  Click here: www.JeremiahsVoice.org to make a contribution, and you will help a family experience a wonderful holiday.

Real Life…during the holidays!

It’s the Holiday season!  Everyone is looking for the best shopping deal in town, or deciding how they will spend the holidays.  Families are making plans for the activities and determining what they will cook for this special holiday.  The excitement of the anticipated holiday approaches and all kinds of emotions are now front and center.

Ironically, everyone will not have the same experience because families are all different.  There are many messages sent out to encourage family gatherings, holiday shopping, and plans for the meal.  Wait! What about the families who are caring for a child or children with disabilities.  Has anyone stopped for a moment and thought about how they handle or process the holiday season.

Interestingly, there are many mixed emotions that unfold that most people don’t consider.  How about the parent who cries when they go to a toy store because their 7-year old child is not able to maneuver a toy because of physical limitation or cognitive limitations.  Let’s think for a moment if you have a 12-year old child on the Autism Spectrum who cognitively understands things at a 4-year-old level.  How does that family feel when asked what they’re getting their child for Christmas.  Do you honestly believe they are happy to say they shop in the toddlers’ section for their 12-year old child?  Or what about the family whose child is in a wheelchair with no hand usage because of a disability and that parent now is asked what they are getting this year for Christmas for their child.  These questions are common, but the responses for a parent caring for a child with special needs, the answer is drastically different.  Those times are excruciating and can even be embarrassing to some families.  Take a moment and pause and put yourself in the shoes of a family whose child has a disability, and they don’t get invited to the family gatherings.  Many times other family members don’t know how to associate with those who have a disability or their house is not easy to navigate for someone in a wheelchair.  What about the non-verbal child who doesn’t communicate with the general population, so other family members don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

The reason for this blog is to have you think about families who are caring for someone with a disability, and how the Holiday season impacts them.  Let’s not forget them when we are thinking about giving a gift.  Here are a few tips to help you feel comfortable to support a family with someone with a disability:

1. Always be sensitive and mindful of the family and how they want to celebrate the holidays
2. Don’t force anyone to feel that they are not welcomed if you genuinely are uncomfortable with them being in your home
3. Absolutely, don’t assume you know what to purchase for the child with special needs or tell a parent what they should be getting
4. Ask the parent if they are comfortable with sharing what they would like to get their child for the holiday, and how they explain the holiday to their child
5. Respect a family if they choose not to participate in a family holiday function.  The stress of navigating someone in a wheelchair can be challenging in unfamiliar environments
6. If you’re open to learning about the child’s disability, then meet with the parent privately to help gain a better understanding. Most families are willing to share if they know the person is sincere
7. Help other family members who are used to family traditions during the holidays that everyone may not want to participate, and it is okay if they don’t
8. Be patient with families who are caring for someone with a disability.  They may change their minds several times due to the state of their child’s health.
9. If a family member shares, they need a quiet place or room; if you invite them over, then please accommodate this request.  This can be used as the calm room for if a traumatic meltdown happens with their disabled child
10. Show love to everyone, no matter who they are for everyone has feelings and wants to receive love

If you simply don’t know what to do but want to help families caring for someone with a disability.  Then support organizations that provide Holiday programs that understand the needs of the families.  A great organization is Jeremiah’s Voice, Inc.  Our focus is to help families to live beyond their disabilities.  We have a Hope for the Holidays program that provides catered meals and age-specific and disability appropriate gifts.  Click here: www.JeremiahsVoice.org to make a contribution, and you will help a family experience a wonderful holiday.

Disney, Here we come…

We are 24-hours away, and the fantastic Brown family will be boarding a plane heading to the most magical place in the world…Disney World, Orlando, Florida.  Yes, this family are the winners of the 2018 Jeremiah’s Voice, Inc. vacation giveaway.  Listen to the heart of the big brother 9-year old Tatum as he shares his thoughts about going to Disney (these words below are directly from Tatum):

I was shocked.  Me at Disney!?!?  No way!!! I was crying in shock.  I’m so excited to go to Disney.

I will love seeing characters come to life and talk to them.  I think my brother will like it too. I’ve always loved fireworks, and I know these will be the best I’ve seen.  Seeing Disney characters give us breakfast will be so fun. Seeing nature is also going to be fun because I love nature. The Magic Kingdom will be the best. It has so many fun activities.

I will make videos and take pictures too; of all the places we’ll go. Thank you so much for letting us have this amazing experience.  I can’t wait to see Tyson’s face when he sees Donald.{see the picture of Tatum & Tyson)

Don’t you love hearing a child express how excited they are to receive something that they never thought they would get to do because of his brother’s disability?  JEREMIAH’S VOICE, Inc. wants to provide parents/caregivers of special needs children and those living with disabilities opportunities to have fun and enjoy their lives more fully, as well as meet their daily needs. Your donations will fund vacation giveaways for families in need, educational resources, college scholarships, camps, medical equipment, support, and daily living needs.

We can’t wait to hear about all of the fun the Brown family experiences while at Disney.  We also look forward to real stories about their experience traveling and how it impacts a family traveling with someone with a disability.  There are more pictures, videos, and stories to tell.  Have lots of fun with Mickey Mouse and the gang!!!

Inspiring to See on CNN – United Shades of America – “The Disability Community”

Last night (May 20, 2018),  was truly amazing to see a CNN show called United Shades of America; as the host W. Kamau Bell shared some insight about The Disability Community.  It was inspiring to see someone take the time to bring awareness to a community of people that are often forgotten.  Being a parent/caregiver of my son who has several disabilities; it encouraged me to know that their are people who value those with disabilities.  I teach my son that he may have received several medical diagnoses, but he is not the disability.  He is an awesome person whose life will have great impact.

There was discussion around building a series to continue the dialogue.  Boy, I sure hope this conversation can continue.  This can help others to appreciate the value all of human beings.  Disabilities can not define a human being and should not be a reason for others to treat them differently.  Let’s start opening up to learn about the uniqueness’s of each other.  We can all grow and become better! Check out the trailer:  (click the video below – titled “The Disability Community”)https://cnncreativemarketing.com/project/usoa/#open-overlay

 

Jeremiah’s Voice, Inc.

Welcome to the Jeremiah’s Voice, Inc. Blog! We look forward to sharing our story, hearing yours, and connecting with parents/ caregivers and people living with disabilities.

Check out the Jeremiah’s Voice, Inc. website at http://jeremiahsvoice.org

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11