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On April 26, 2007, supporters
of the Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania program joined together to celebrate 10 years of "Making a Difference"
in the lives of families who have children or adults with disabilities or special needs. The day kicked off with
Katherine Summers, Legislative Aide for the Hon. Ron Marsico of Dauphin
County, declaring April
26th as Parent to Parent day in the state. "What was exciting about this proclamation was that three of the
four women who helped start or lent their
expertise to the start up of the program in 1996 were on hand to help us
celebrate, stated Fiona Patrick,
Program Director. Helen Aldiset, Linda Widman and Marilyn Colosomo each shared
how pleased they are that the mission of
the program, which is one to one support, still addresses a need for many families. Having the opportunity to
speak to someone who truly understands your situation can empower a parent to
be better prepared to handle their own situation.
There were additional presentations by peer
supporters Tammy Rose, Bev Ragan, Margie Austin andKathy Brill who each shared
how they were once supported and have moved to a place that they now support
other families with similar conditions or issues as their own. Kathy showed us
a Power Point of her family and how together they created an inclusive
environment for their daughter in school and the community. Additional peer
supporters from across the state were on hand to help us celebrate. It was
wonderful to be able to meet peer supporters in person that in the past we have
only had the chance to speak with over the phone. We thank them for their
continuing loyalty.
Nationally known keynote speaker, Jan Moss,
from Oklahoma,
capped off the day with a message of how to incorporate humor into your life as
a means of helping to decrease stress. According to Jan, "Being able to
see humor in a situation is an effective technique for coping that is positive.
Research tells us that laughter relaxes muscles, lowers blood pressure
and reduces the levels of hormones that create and sustain stress. Of course,
if humor is good for the family member/caregiver, is also good for the child
with a disability since children develop their humor early on, why not give
them the opportunity to self-assist with their own well being. We thank Jan and
all other participants who helped make the day a success.
Fiona
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10th Year Celebration 
