Whether you are a parent with a chronic illness or disability or your child has one,  it takes a lot of extra effort to care your children's needs as well as your own. You might ask yourself, "How can you be a good parent when I have a disability?" "How can I best care for my children's needs?" or "How might our family life change because of one family members limitations and how do we make the most of our lives regardless?"

Shelley Peterman Schwarz was a teacher of the Deaf and had young children in her life when her multiple sclerosis began to strip her of her ability to work, to walk, to stand, and care for herself. Even the simple act of hugging her children or tucking them in at night and giving them a good-night kiss quickly became impossible. She has lived the life of parenting with a severe disability and she shares her tips and strategies with you here. She also shares tips and strategies gleaned form others who are the parents of children with disabilities.

We hope you will find here the tips, strategies, understanding, encouragement, and support you need whether you are a parent with a disability or you are caring for children with a disability. 

"In every child who is born under no matter what circumstances and of no matter what parents, the potentiality of the human race is born again, and in him, too, once more, and each of us, our terrific responsibility toward human life..."  ~  James Agee