The shock of a diagnosis has shaken the world around you and you don’t know where to turn. When you come out of the fog, you are wrapped up in anxiety, fear, uncertainty, confusion, guilt and shame.

Your life has become a never-ending stream of specialists, the school communication notebook, OT appointments and stress. All you want is a moment, where life is how you imagined it would be when you first found out you were going to be a mom. You feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn, fearing that life will forever be unbearable.

You feel isolated and burned out. 

Most days you just feel alone.  Your husband keeps himself busy at work, leaving you with the weight of juggling all of your child’s needs. Your parents want to help, but they can’t manage the meltdowns like you can. 

You feel misunderstood by friends, family or specialists.

The worst part is that sometimes you’re jealous! Jealous of the neighbor who complains about their child’s busy schedule of activities, when yours is filled with doctor appointments, lawyers and fighting with medical insurance. You feel guilty about your frustration and sadness. You are grateful for your child, but it takes an emotional toll.

The rest of your family is struggling while you focus on your special needs child.

Your other children are suffering because you can’t make their school plays and soccer games. You feel like you are failing them. Your marriage is rocky because you can’t take the time your husband wants. Everyone needs a piece of you and you are overwhelmed, fearful and frustrated. 

It feels like you’ve tried everything. 

You tried counseling before, but it did not fit in with your child’s schedule of specialists. You’ve done your research and have read every single book, but it doesn’t help. You’ve tried yoga, meditation and praying, but God doesn’t seem to hear you.  All you hear is the crying of your child and your own racing thoughts questioning “how will I ever make it through?”