Combating Isolation
Isolation. Many special needs families find themselves isolated in their communities. Why? While in some ways it feels super complicated, it really boils down to something super simple. It’s difficult to find people who understand - who get the special needs life - because it really does take living it to fully grasp it. While most of us have 7-8 natural supports we can call on in times of need, that number falls in half almost immediately for special needs parents with most of those supports diminishing over time. Sitters are hard to find, schedules are full of appointments and sometimes just pure exhaustion after a long day makes maintaining relationships difficult.
Pause creates experiences to help families grow their circles and connect with other caregivers who understand them and their family’s uniqueness. We have seen caregivers grow their involvement in Pause and as a result, grow their circles of support. Caregivers who were unsure about leaving their kiddos at their very first Parent’s Night Out event have grown the strength and courage to host their own play groups and even have used each other's homes to practice skills in an unfamiliar setting before attempting it in other new places. We’ve seen dads meet at local restaurants and moms all rally together to take their kids to the pool. It works and it changes the long-term trajectory for families.
Because of the Covid restrictions in the past year, Pause has been unable to host our typical Parent’s Night Out or Thrive Night events which were the catalyst for many of these relationships. We knew, now more than ever, caregivers and kiddos needed the connection that comes from Pause events. We started working to identify “Pause approved” businesses and organizations in our community that would allow us to create meaningful opportunities for families within a safe environment.
Our partnership with Holiday Auto Theater was born last November and has continued into 2021! Fun at the drive-in doesn’t just include a cute movie - it allows Pause families to engage outside, keep distance if needed and gives our Pause family the chance to be together. On June 29th, 101 caregivers and kiddos came together to play games, decorate their cars, and watch Wonder Park at the drive-in. The rain couldn’t even keep them away. As with all things in life, they embraced the storm, figured out a workaround and just did the darn thing! #ResilienceIsTheirJam
100% of caregivers said that this event helped meet their need for fun in this Covid-19 season and 90% of caregivers left the event with a greater sense of hope. One caregiver shared: “(It was) A sense of relief knowing that it was "our families". Sometimes the drive-in is a little unnerving with so many people around that you don't know. It's nice to be with families who "get it". You can actually exhale for a minute.”
This event would not have been possible without CAN DO partner - Todd Chancey at Holiday Auto Theater. Thank you for creating a safe and fun environment for our Pause families.
Whether you work at a drive-in, a local family owned restaurant or a large corporation - there are SO many ways to get involved with Pause. Reach out to Jaclin Baker (jaclin.baker@pauseforparents.org) to learn more about becoming a “Pause approved” partner.
Pause approved = becoming part of the corporate Pause family. Warning: It comes with knowing that you are changing lives for the better. Enter at your own risk.
This is CAN DO. This is COMMUNITY. This is YOUR SUPPORT.
