Reflections from a Year of Strength, Surrender, and Growth
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with so many of you—parents who are walking the complex, beautiful, and often exhausting journey of raising a child with special needs.
We’ve witnessed your highs and lows, the moments of progress and the ones that felt like setbacks. And one thing always stands out: you grow through it all.
With every challenge, you come out the other side stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. You learn through the joy, too—in the laughter, the small wins, and the moments that remind you why you keep showing up.
As we approach the end of the year, we asked some of you to share your reflections—to put into words what this season of life has taught you. The responses were honest, heartfelt, and deeply moving.
Here’s what some of you had to say:
“Relax, you’re in the thick of it. Just breathe.”
“Don’t second guess yourself. Don’t blame yourself. Let go of the past.”
“I am one person with two hands! I say this to myself over and over again…We as special needs parents cannot do it all! We are human and can only be in one place at a time!”
“I’m strong enough to deal with anything that comes my way!”
“One day at a time. One task at a time. Enjoy your special ones as much as you can despite out crazy schedules/therapies/ and doctor’s appointments. And BREATHE! Everything works out in the end.”
“Be strong. Pray to God that you get through one day at a time. It’s not going to be easy. Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath, walk outside, come back in, and take care of your child.”
“There’s always somebody who has it a little harder than you. I’m grateful for what I have.”
“Stay on top of those pulls and pains, stretch and get them checked out. As parents, we lift and lift and don’t take care of ourselves and then the pain turns to more serious problems, which sometimes require surgery. So, stay on top of your own needs as well as everyone else’s.”
“The greatest challenge of being a special needs parent (or exceptional Mama, as I like to say) is actually extending the same patience and empathy to my neurotypical child as I do to my son with Autism.”
Even if you didn’t write one of these, I’m guessing something in here resonates. Maybe all of it.
We talk a lot about self-care—because it’s not just a buzzword. It’s necessary. Essential. And often, overlooked when you're giving so much of yourself to everyone else.
Grief is part of your journey too. It may soften, it may linger, but it doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re human. And you keep evolving. You keep showing up.
As you reflect on everything 2019 brought into your life—the hard, the beautiful, the frustrating, and the sacred—we hope you offer yourself the same patience, compassion, and grace you so freely give others.
You're doing your best. Always. And that is more than enough.
Wishing you and your family a holiday season full of rest, laughter, connection, and love. 💛
Christine Astarita
She discovered her passion for the neurologic pediatric and adult population during her clinical affiliation at a special services school in Cape May, New Jersey. She is an active member of the APTA and continues to take post-graduate course work related to treatment methods for neurological diagnoses.