ETB 40: Finding Quality Care for Your Special Needs Child with Gerrie Bourque

08/17/22 • 25 min

ETB 40 - In this episode I talk with Gerrie Bourque, mother of 3 whose 26 year old son Tyler has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism, is medically complex and has rare disorders. Gerrie shares the various caregiving options they have explored over the years.
Tyler has a Texas Medicaid Waiver which provides services for him including a support staff to care for him as needed. Initially, Gerrie's husband/Tyler's dad was the first paid caregiver. They have also hired staff from Care.com, enrolled Tyler in Day hab a couple days a week and had a family member as his primary caregiver.
Each waiver offers varied options for care with the ability to try different ones to find which works best for each individual. Families are able to alter the caregiving situation as circumstances and support needs change. Currently, Tyler is attending Day hab 5 days a week and thriving!
No matter which avenue you take to find support for your child, remember often times your child is the best barometer for who is a good fit.
Tyler's story: Recovering from intestinal malrotation:
https://www.texaschildrens.org/blog/tylers-story-recovering-intestinal-malrotation
Verne Cox Adaptive Recreation Center
https://www.pasadenatx.gov/189/Adaptive-Recreation
Next Step Transition Center
https://www.nextsteptransitioncenter.org/
Care.com
https://www.care.com/
Connect with Gerrie
[email protected]
Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

Previous Episode

ETB 39: Plenty of Possibilities for Finding Respite Care with Mary Ann Hughes

ETB 39 - In this episode I talk with Mary Ann Hughes, mother of 2 young adults with Autism about finding quality care for loved ones with special needs. As a single mother managing her company, Special Family Transitions, Mary Ann has had to stretch her comfort zone most recently when she sent both of her boys for the very first time to a week long summer camp.
Mary Ann believes as special needs moms and parents we don't spend enough time taking care of ourselves. She notes there is so much stress involved with having special. needs children it can take a toll on the family and sometimes the marriage. Mary Ann encourages you to take time for yourself so you can be the best parent you can be for your kids.
To help you find quality caregivers you can trust, Mary Ann shares an abundance of possibilities for securing respite care, some of which you may not have ever considered.
Connect with Mary Ann:
Email address: [email protected]

Website: https://www.specialfamilytransitions.com/

Special Family Transitions YouTube channel (please subscribe )
https://youtube.com/channel/UChI4BaUMGf50O2yPE_YnjFA

Special Family Transitions Facebook Page:
https://m.facebook.com/specialfamilytransitions

Private Facebook group:
Divorce Journey Support for Moms of Children with Autism & Special Needs:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/309739357366936/

Special Family Transitions on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/specialfamilytransitions/
Respite Resources:
Take Time Texas https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/taketimetexas/search.cfm
Texas State Information on Respite Providers or Programs
https://archrespite.org/respite-locator-service-state-information/176-texas-info
Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

Next Episode

ETB 41: Embrace the Uncertainty with Beverly Parrish

ETB 41- In this episode I talk with Beverly Parrish about her daughter Hannah, age 28, who has Down syndrome. Beverly and her husband Chris learned that Hannah had Down syndrome in utero. Feeling a bit overwhelmed at their lack of knowledge about Trisomy 21 they began to research, trusting that God had his perfect plan in place.
Beverly is a mother of 7 with 9 grandchildren and has been married for 40 years. She homeschooled the kids for 30 years and currently works with dyslexic children and adults as a facilitator in the Davis Dyslexia program. Beverly also tutors struggling readers. In her free time, she published a book, Beyond the Diploma - Homeschooling with the End in Mind. See link below.
As the only girl, sandwiched between 6 brothers, Hannah is a cheerful, engaging young lady who brings joy and seems unaffected by circumstances that impact many of us.
Beverly believes in embracing the uncertainty. Instead of having your expectations dashed or unmet all the time, she recommends just embracing the idea that you don't know. It's not a race and it's not a competition. Embrace the uncertainty and don't compare your situation.
Davis Dyslexia Program
https://https://learnyourway.biz/
Beyond the Diploma - Homeschooling with the End in Mind by Beverly Parrishhttps://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Diploma-Homeschooling-End-Mind/dp/1946629456
The Gift of Dyslexia
https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Dyslexia-Smartest-Revised-Expanded/dp/0399535667
Welcome to Holland
https://www.dsasc.ca/uploads/8/5/3/9/8539131/welcome_to_holland.pdf
Connect with Beverly
beverlyparrish.com
www.beverlyparrish.com
www.learnyourway.biz
281-638-0297
Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/