Special Needs
Fairview UMC knows that parents of special needs children need a place where they know their children will be taken care of by knowledgeable staff and volunteers.
The video to the left highlights the importance of our Buddy Ministry at Fairview. This ministry is provided for children with special needs during our worship and Sunday School hours. If you are interested in finding out more about this ministry for your children please contact our Children's Pastor, Wil Davenport at 983.2080 (x108). We have a changing room and quiet room for families to use at any time during our worship services.
Dream New Dreams
Dream New Dreams is a Christian support group for parents, guardians, grandparents, friends, and families of children with special needs. We meet every Wednesday evening in the church library (on the left side of the church) for talking, sharing, listening to guest speakers, and devotion.
What is a "special" need?
The "special needs of special need children is very encompassing. Needs may range from medication to behavioral, speech, or physical therapy. A child may need a walker, wheelchair, or an artificial limb just to name a few.
In short, these children need help, and we as their parents need help too.
Here is a brief list of diagnoses a child may have:
- ADD/ADHD
- Autism
- Brain Injury
- Blind
- Cancer
- Cerebral Palsy
- Diabetes
- Deafness
- Developmental Delay
- Down Syndrome
- Dyslexia
- Genetic Disorder
- Hydrocephali
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Health Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Bifida/Cord Injury
While our children with these conditions are very different, we as parents have a lot in common. You are not alone if your child has a special need.
Whether your child has been recently diagnosed or if you have known since birth, experiencing a wide range of emotions is to be expected. You are not alone.
Some of the dreams you had for your child may be lost. But, "You will be happy again; you will dream new dreams." (You Will Dream New Dreams, Knline and Schive, 2001)
