Non-profits bring a parent support group for children with special needs to Freeport

FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — Freeport is welcoming a new parent support group helping with the journey of parenthood for those with children with special needs.

“[I’m] super excited about the opportunity to bring other parents in for something I needed ten years ago,” said Janelle Nelson.

Nelson has a son with autism and she talked about the help a parent support group gives to those who may feel like they are going through something on their own. She led the charge in trying to organize this group. Bringing together two groups she knows has passions for the same cause.

“So when I was first navigating my son’s special abilities, I kind of felt alone,” said Nelson. “Like I had a lot of people around that had kids, but it was different. Just trying to have that support of people, that experience. What I experience, I think is vital.”

Easterseals serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford along with Hope Wins, a non-profit in Freeport, have come together to help start a parent support group. All parents are welcome, but the group specializes in helping parents with kids who may have differences like Down Syndrome, Autism and more.

“Basically helping them overall with all of the support and stuff that they will need. A lot of it, I feel like stops when your child becomes an adult,” said Easterseales Family Support Specialist. “So this is also helping them with guardianship and also helping them as their child becomes an adult.”

“Any of our circumstances can be very isolating because we are the only ones that are enduring those specific set of circumstances,” said Lindsey McDanel Founder of Hope Wins . “So being able to find confidence and people that we can trust and talk to and connect us with resources and necessary information for daily life is important.”

One thing that makes this support group accessible for parents is there are counselors there who will watch their children for them. The group will be held at the end of every month with a new organization each time that brings beneficial resources.

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