“It’s not an easy task but at

least I have somebody with

me…”:
EXPERIENCES AND VICTORIES OF A PARENT
OF CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Venice C. Benigno
Naga View Adventist College
Zone 2, Barangay Panicuason, Naga City
 “Hear me, O Lord, for your
lovingkindness is good; Turn to
me according to the multitude
of Your tender mercies”

Psalm 69:16
 “NURTURING FOR LIFE”

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

TO REFLECT ON THE DIFFICULTIES BEHIND VICTORIES

 “What does it mean to be a
Mother for a child with special
need?”
“It’s a very difficult and
challenging task.”
“I have to take care of
him. Understand him.
And I need to have a LOT
OF PATIENCE
TOWARDS HIM”
“What is the most rewarding
experience?”
 “AT LEAST I HAVE
SOMEBODY WITH ME
BECAUSE HE IS MY ONLY
CHILD. He is always there
for me, always depending
on me… PATIENCE IS
BEING DEVELOPED…”
“What is the most difficult
experience?”
 “FEAR…”
“FEAR OF HIS FUTURE IF
I’M GONE…NO ONE WILL
TAKE CARE OF HIM NOR
LOVE HIM AS MUCH AS I
DO…”
“How do you manage this
difficult times?”
I have to DEPEND, TRUST AND
LAY DOWN TO GOD FOR GOD
WILL NOT FAIL ME….”

“Social support helps me a

lot…FAMILY, FRIENDS AND
RELATIVES…”
“What are your best strategies
in helping him/her?”
“I always have to remind him of his
tasks
…BY BEING OPTIMISTIC
towards him
…DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HIM
…ENCOURAGE HIM
…SEE THE POSITIVE THINGS IN HIM
…BELIEVE IN HIS CAPACITIES”
 “Do you send him to school?
How long he has been in
school? What are the things
they do to teach him? What do
you think are the benefits of
teachers in helping him?”
“He also loves to go to
school and he wants to
finish it. In fact, he is
attending in a regular
class TREATING HIM
LIKE A NORMAL
STUDENT. He is learning
how to socialize – he is
meeting a lot of
different people…”
“Teachers develop
PATIENCE,
CONCERN,
UNDERSTANDING
AND ACCEPTANCE
OF WHAT HE IS…”
 “What are the lessons you
learned from this parenting?”
 “Parenting is NOT AN EASY
TASK,
VERY CHALLENGING.
No one method is ever easy. I
need to DEAL WITH
DIFFERENT APPROACHES.
I HAVE TO LEARN AND
UNLEARN SO MANY
THINGS…”
“What are the things you do to
keep going and never give up?”
 “In the very first
place,
HE IS MY CHILD,
HE IS A GIFT FROM
GOD. I have to take
good care of him and
love him.”
“What are your dreams for
him/her?”
 “For him to finish his
college education.
Build his own family
soon; if he can make it.
BE ABLE TO TAKE
CARE OF HIMSELF.”
“What are your messages for
other parents out there?”
“JUST L VE YOUR KIDS
WHOEVER THEY ARE,
WHATEVER THEIR
CAPACITIES, NEEDS AND
ABILITIES
JUST BE THERE
FOR THEM…”
 ”Fear not, for I am with
you;
Be not dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen
you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41: 10