beyond the SPECTRUM - Episode 4: Tsunami of Fear

One thing that's common for all families with special needs- the emotional rollercoaster that doesn't seem to end. Each person is dealing with different burdens at different times and just when one person seems to understand what you're experiencing, you descend into a new deluge of fears and feelings.

It can be frustrating to constantly feel these shifts, but they do start to fluctuate less often and your family will begin to settle into a more fixed and stable season.   

Be patient, and hold on. Recognize Each little victory and celebrate them- you need to pause and cheer for those times, to remind yourselves that you ARE making progress. Set up little alarms on your phone once a week, once a month...to catalog the things you've achieved. Document the journey as best as you can so the accomplishments aren't forgotten

You'll be surprised - a year from now, go back and read that some of your fears are long gone, and you didn't even notice those milestones when they arrived!   It's a lot like being in chronic pain. When you're used to being at a level 9 on the pain scale- you might not notice a drop from 9 to 8.5, and then 8.25 to 8, etc.  

But a year later when you're at a constant 5- celebrate!!!

Cheer your family on too! Make it a point of praising each member for what they're doing, how they're coping. Stick together! You'll have so many forces driving wedges between you that you need to cling to one another and cheer when you can. It makes a HUGE difference. Eliminate as much toxicity surrounding you as possible, and make no justification for it. Your family's success is all the justification you need. Surround yourself with people who love and support and help. They will be help in your worst times of need.

I'm cheering for you 🤗

❤️️, Dreem