For this assignment we were asked
to create a hypothetical family. I have to pretend that this is my family. My
family is a young couple who is expecting their first child. My husband and I
have decided to do a special test to see if their child has any diseases so
they can prep before the baby is born. Our worse fear became true at the
appointment that shared the results. Our sweet bundle of joy has Down syndrome.
We are a middle class family with both of us having decent jobs. Though we both
have decent jobs we do not make enough money to be able to afford all the
upcoming medical bills that we will have with our child. The doctor suggest
that we are able to terminate but we both right away said no. Our family was
going to be watching the child while we are at work. Now that we know our child
has Down syndrome they are unsure if they will be able to take care of our
child. We start looking into child care but we are not able to afford to send
our child to any of the centers that will take a child with Down syndrome.
After many center visits we found a program called Early Head Start. We never
thought we would qualify but we were accepted because of our child having Down syndrome.
Early Head Start will help us find ways to afford all the medical bills that we
will have.
Hi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteI like your hypothetical family. Your family situation seems realistic, I have seen where family members are excited about a new addition to the family but once they realize it is going to be a child with disabilities, people will distance themselves. Seems like she is going to need family support services in Early head Start, in that program she will gain a new family.
Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteYour hypothetical family issue is what so many families face. Children with Down Syndrome can be very challenging but in today's time there are more resources that make it possible for families to make it. However, how many families know about these resources. I am glad that you chose a family with a child with down syndrome.
I love your hypothetical family I think sometimes we focus a lot on assisting low income families that we forget that middle class and upper class families also need resources in order to provide for their children. Especially when it comes to special needs because often parents do not know when or where to start looking for resources and how to look for help or how they're going to pay for any care that they may need for their child.
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