This past August, WeJoySing’s annual staff retreat/training focused upon WeJoySing families of children with special needs; the highlight of the weekend was a panel of mothers whose children have been a part of the Heart Strings program.

Four moms helped instructors to gain a more in-depth understanding of their lives, which involve very busy therapy appointment schedules. Add to that the activities of the typically developing children in the family, whom parents don’t want to short-change, and life is hectic.

When families with typically developing children have an overloaded schedule, parents can simply pull back for a while; lighten the load. Therapies, unlike “typical” children’s activities, are not optional. This is just one challenge these families face.

Sharon Stone, of Massillon, Ohio, talked of her daughter Emma, who has Down syndrome. “When Emma was an infant, I cried: ‘My life will never be normal again.’ My friend, a wise mother with a special-needs child of her own, said: ‘It is going to be normal. It will be your normal.’”

Emma is now eight years old, and sure enough, Sharon and her husband Mike can’t imagine normal without their precious youngest, who gets chocolate milk every morning in exchange for kisses. Big sister Makayla (11) loves being a part of the support team for Emma, playing with her and helping with her lessons as they home-school.

In the Chretien household, that relationship is somewhat reversed. Phoebe, age four, has learned responsibility and leadership as she, a child with Pervasive Development Disorder, has lived out the role of big sister to Maxine (age 2 ½) and Alexander (an infant.) Mom Kelly attests: “It’s a really good dynamic. People will say, ‘you’re crazy” [about having three children under four, especially when the first has special needs] but really, [it’s] the best thing that ever happened to Phoebe.”

Families who experience the challenges of special needs find themselves working diligently as a team, celebrating and treasuring even seemingly small accomplishments of the “team captain.”

Amy Fortney shared her perspective on language development in her autistic son. “Every time Mitchell got a new word…it was all the more dear to me, because otherwise I would have thought it was my due: my son’s going to talk to me, he’s going to call me mommy, he’s going to say ‘I love you,’ but that doesn’t happen for some of us who have children on the spectrum. They may never even speak to you…”

Not only does Mitchell talk, he loves to sing! WeJoySing has “spilled over” into Mitchell’s bedtime routine: Mommy sings to Mitchell, then Mitchell sings before going to sleep. Amy has even discovered Mitchel singing to younger sister Elyse as he tucks her in, something she calls “a sweet comfort.”

Julie Liskany of Grove City can identify. She and her husband Steve are parents to George, age 7 and Grant, age 4. “When I first started WeJoySing, George was an infant. I didn’t know he had any special needs,” Julie recalls. “We went just because it was fun. I fell in love with WeJoySing. You [teachers] are all amazing; you do amazing work. Thank you for that.”

Loving teachers are just one reason families fit WeJoySing into their busy schedules. What else?

“It’s something we can do together,” one mom reflects.

“In therapy, even if it’s a big gym, they’re with the therapist on their own, and they’re working so hard…” someone else adds.

“It’s the interaction, the loving environment, and the fun…” chimes another.

The last panel member speaks to nods of agreement: “It’s a chance to hold your child on your lap for a bit and just play together…”

A Note From Mrs. Jo
I agree 100%. The “Just Play!” is the very best! Music is “play”- meaningful play. WeJoySing is blessed to provide this joy-filled learning environment for you and yours.

Thank you to our wonderful panel of mothers. Because they shared their insight and knowledge, WeJoySing will be able to better serve our families.