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The Future

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[MUSIC PLAYING] I think I speak for most parents of children with special needs when I say that when we think about the future, it's really scary. While our children our young, we can protect them, but as they get older and they move out of our homes, we lose that ability to protect them. My son has a twin sister, who has typical development, and she asked recently, Mommy, what will happen with Thomas? What will he do when he grows up? And I had to hold back the tears when she asked that question because it's something that we think about a lot, is what will Thomas do? And we want him to have a meaningful life. We want him to have something that he feels good about doing. We want him to contribute to his community, like all parents do. So it's tough and it's hard to know quite how to plan for the future for your child who has special needs.

In this video, Ellen Kester shares the thoughts and emotions she experiences when considering her child’s future. Through her personal reflections, she offers a candid look into the hopes, concerns, and planning that come with raising a child with disabilites. Her story provides valuable insight for families navigating transition planning and envisioning meaningful outcomes beyond school.