Back in high school, largely on a whim, I signed up for a weekend of volunteering at Camp Barnabas, a camp in my home state of Missouri for children with special needs. I had never done anything like that. It was hard and rewarding and ultimately a really beautiful experience because of the joy that being at camp brought to the kids. Looking back years later, after completing medical school and now as I near graduation from my combined residency program in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, that experience was just the first of many that have helped me learn more about the lives of children with special needs and their families. In college and medical school that took the form of one-on-one volunteering with my church’s special needs ministry. I spent time with an elementary boy who had a developmental delay, some behavioral concerns, and the most mischievous smile that could absolutely light up a room. In doing so, I got glimpses of what accomplishing even simple things such as making it to church on a Sunday morning or going grocery shopping meant for this boy and his single mom.
In medical residency through IU, I’ve seen a different side of life for these families. I’ve become part of the team that provides the important diagnoses and treatment to help kids grow, learn, and function as their best selves. I’ve gained so much medical knowledge, as well as some practical knowledge, about the layers of complexity that come with having a child with special needs. I’ve learned which clinics they attend at Riley and how to take care of them when illness results in a hospital admission. I’ve learned some community resources that might be useful to them. I’ve also learned that I’m part of a system that sometimes makes life harder for these families and that in so many areas of life, my knowledge pales in comparison to the experience and expertise that these parents have in navigating school, government, community, and medical systems all at once.
As my graduation approaches and I prepare to practice primary care in the Indy area, I am acutely aware that it is difficult, yet vitally important, to provide high quality, comprehensive, and practical primary care for individuals with special needs. For that reason, I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn more about Indiana Family to Family through one of my residency rotations. I previously had a vague idea of what they could provide, but through talking with and shadowing INF2F Resource Specialists, I now know how wide and deep the wealth of knowledge within this organization truly is. Already I’ve referred multiple families in my clinic to INF2F for information on resources like ABA therapy and applying for a Medicaid waiver. Just as importantly, I’ve referred families who need support, who need to talk to someone who knows what it is like to raise a child with autism or navigate helping their teen with ADHD make good choices as his independence grows. It may seem small, but the ability to submit a referral through the INF2F website under the “Contact Us” page is HUGE for primary care physicians because it allows us to fill it out while the family is there in clinic, taking one small thing off the parents’ plate and ensuring that someone will follow up with them. I’m now trying to share this with as many of my colleagues as I can.
Knowing that INF2F is here to support my patients and their families is a relief for this soon-to-be primary care physician who wants to provide the best possible care to these families. I also recently became a parent to a now 3-month-old little girl, and knowing that, should the need arise, INF2F would be there to support me too makes the future and all the unknowns that come with raising a child look slightly less daunting.
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Come visit with Indiana Family to Family staff at the Hamilton County Transition Fair on Thursday, March 23rd from 6:00-7:00p at Carmel High School. For more information about this event, visit the Fisher's Advisory Committee on Disability's event website.
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IU's FREE Fort Wayne Community Health & Resource Fair brings health and access directly to the Fort Wayne community. Thursday, April 13th from 4:00-7:00p at Renaissance Pointe YMCA. Free health screenings available. Come say "hi" to INF2F staff while you are there!
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Learn about accessibility and technology supports for all students and families at the 2023 PATINS Tech Expo on April 20th. There will be unique presentations and a live exhibit hall available at this event. Registration and parking are FREE for families.
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