Did you know that ostriches do not, in fact, bury their heads in sand? The illusion that an ostrich is hiding his head is actually a purposeful misconception intended to protect of his offspring from predators*. 

Parents: Have you ever been accused of denying or avoiding the facts, hiding from the truth, or ignoring the situation when it comes to your children? Was it true? Or perhaps those accusations came from people who did not know all of the facts, didn’t get close enough, or even misunderstood the situation.

Here’s another thing about the ostrich, they are hard to miss. Adult males are eight to nine feet in height and weigh 350-400 pounds*.

Sometimes, as a parent of a child with disability, I feel like a lone ostrich in an aviary full of lightweight, ready for flight, birds. I feel like every decision I make has an audience; I can’t be missed and am thus scrutinized by the onlookers. When I protect, or advocate, I may be mislabeled as mean or aggressive. And when provoked, I fight with the tools I have, which may appear backward, but work for my needs.

Maybe I’m alone on this ostrich analogy.

However, let’s assume for today that I am not.

Let’s assume, for today, that parents of adult children with disabilities have lived in/with this combination of feeling both misunderstood and under the spotlight for most, if not all, of the lives of their children. And that each time a parent appears to have his head hidden, he is actually attempting to divert trouble and keep his child (no matter the age) safe and healthy.

One safe option for adults with disabilities in our community is the Madonna Workshop. Currently, however, the workshop format is under extreme scrutiny and there are changes being legislated. In some states, families of people who choose workshops as an option are being forced to find other arrangements or try out new placements, even if they are happy in their current environment.

Bright Beginnings

*We are please to share another family story. Guest blogger Patrick Flanery

Our son, Jack (age 7), has just completed his first year at Madonna School. He went to OPS for kindergarten and was required to switch schools for first grade to attend an ACP classroom at another school. Upon finding an ACP classroom, we learned that particular classroom would be moved to yet another school the following year.

We knew at some point we wanted to send Jack to Madonna and agreed it was probably in his best interest to make the move for first grade in order to eliminate all of the transitions. Not only do we have a more stable situation for Jack, but also a loving and caring environment with Christian values. Jack’s two older sisters have the benefit of receiving Catholic education and now Jack will be able to have the same benefit.

What the Madonna School Means to Our Family

*This week’s Guest blog is by Madonna School Parent Tara Harper

Before the Madonna School

For Years, we dealt with suspensions and weekly calls from the school about our son’s behavior. I felt like my husband and I were always fighting to keep services that were supposed to be provided through the school system, including basics to his education like appropriate tools and resources to increase his language and fine motor skills. It was a battle that I honestly could not fight anymore.

The time came when we had to decide whether to send our child to a huge middle school where he would be segregated in one part of the building all day or look at schools outside our school district.

I was exhausted!

Then we had a respite provider last summer who connected us with another family whose child attended the Madonna School.

A Chance to Fit In

Gratitude To and From

Blessed with Volunteers

At the Madonna School we are blessed to have many volunteers help in a wide variety of areas. From assisting in the classrooms to the kitchen, from working with the students individually to promoting the mission in the community, the Madonna School and Workshop meets the needs of its students and clients with the help of valuable volunteers.

There are also many special events, like the Golf Classic and the Celebration Event, that require volunteers to spend many hours preparing and promoting in order to raise the funds necessary for the mission: empowering with education the Madonna School students and adults.

“There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give.” --Edward Arlington Robinson

Not surprisingly, there is often feedback from our volunteers about how grateful they are to the Madonna staff and students as well.