Dear KNOWDifferent Families,
Re Entry is a thing and it is hard.
No matter what it is.
It could be going back to school, work, maybe social gatherings.
Re entry could be relearning and getting acquainted with things that you were missing in your life the last 18 months.
For me, “Re Entry” has only just started and I am struggling to find the rule book. I am making re entry into life, basically. I have not only had the pleasure of being home for 18 months with Marky, but urgent needs to deal with for our oldest daughter, the anxiety and stressors of it all on our family unit, the guardianship for Marky, and, believe it or not; the list goes on. To say it was ALOT, does not do it justice.
This site has always been a place for me to share, learn and connect. It hasn’t been that way for the last several months. I tend to hide when things become bigger than I feel I can handle. So, what better way to begin, then right here.
The last few months have been full of curvy roads. For many of us. I believe we experienced curves with COVID and all that changed in our typical days.
So much was undefined and we all did our best to get up, push forward and get through it.
Sometimes, we figured things out as they happened.
For me, the curves kept on coming, I am talking NO straight path on the horizon. There actually was no horizon ! Visualize this – a 2 lane, narrow street in a mountain, downhill, with iffy brakes, clouds and then rain – yes, that was how I felt.
Many of you know me, and know I am the eternal optimist , I am also a fixer and connector. It is my innate way to want to “do”, “bring” and “ create”. I get the most joy from knowing I am making a difference and helping others. Life did not allow me to do what I know best and it was a test. Fast forward to present and I see I am still taking the test, the questions are a little clearer, but I am making progress.
I have learned a lot about myself. There is no right way to cope, there is nothing wrong with needing time and space to figure things out and there is no shame in letting others know.
Could I have done things differently and possibly done a better job? Probably, but, who are we to judge ourselves or anyone else on how we make it through. What matters, is that we do . What is important is that we feel we have the support around us during the times of crisis.
As caregivers of special needs individuals, we are use to adjusting, adapting and not knowing what the next moment brings. We have a skill set that is miles long and we hardly give ourselves credit for it all.
My note today, on this October start, is to share that I am working on getting back, sharing the good and the bad and I am looking forward to re entering together.
Be sure to check the site and Facebook to stay up to date. If you have anything you want to share or add, please get in touch. This site is for you, we need to and want to know what works! You can email Carissa
KnowDifferent.net is a site for all special need families that have to do anything “KNOWdifferently”. No matter what the diagnosis, our site will offer you a place to learn, a place to share and a place to feel KnowDifferent.We have some great community events coming up, be sure to check our calendar frequently as we add to it daily.
To our readers, we thank you for being a part of our network. To our sponsors, we thank you for trusting our platform to help make a difference. To our community, we are so grateful for you all and look forward to growing together.
Wishing you a safe and enjoyable month.
With Gratitude and Commitment,
Carissa