Where are the Successes?

We have all types of organizations that offer lessons and information on advocacy, resources, legislative efforts, etc, concerning special needs children; but I haven't found many organizations that are aimed at celebrating the special needs child or celebrating what these children have to offer the world. This is where I want my focus to be.

So many organizations die or remain small due to counting on the families of special needs children to fund the efforts or projects. These families are usually looking for funding themselves and don't have the resources they need much less extra in which to help others. How can we change that?

One way, I think, is to offer success stories to those in power and/or those who are able to help with funding issues. People tire of the "poor me" or "this poor child" approach and they tend to automatically turn off. Every family with special needs children face obstacles everyday in the areas of: health, behavior, finances, and education. Where are the stories of progress, of what is working?

People also love things that make them laugh. Show them the comical side of life with special needs children (very different from laughing at special needs children), and it tends to melt icy attitudes and responses. This has been shown over and over again in other areas of life, why should our situation and call for help be any different?

I personally, want to know about the things that are working for others, and I want to be able to laugh within my circumstances. There have to be more people like this. Where are you?