Why A Coach?

So often, as a parent of a child with special needs, it’s easy to focus all our attention on the challenges we face day in and day out as we care for our child(ren). There can be a tendency to fixate on what we don’t have ( e.g. a “typical” child or a “normal” life), the daily struggles we face, or the loneliness and isolation we feel. These are all real things. And these are hard things… really hard. If we allow them to, these really hard things can begin to cloud our perspective about our ability to create a life for ourselves and for our family that is still joyful and satisfying. This is where coaching can be tremendously beneficial.

Because there are so many things with disabled or differently abled children that we as parents don’t have control over, a perception of little to no control can start to creep into our thinking about other areas of our lives as well. Feelings of overwhelm and fatigue can blind us to the choices we can make to recognize and exercise the control we do have. Even in the context of our reality of caring for a child with special needs, we can still choose to not live a disabled life.

With the help of a coach, you can be empowered to envision and create a life for yourself and your family that highlights your unique strengths. A coach can help you to identify your goals and the steps needed to achieve them, addressing any mental roadblocks that might try to get in the way. A coach can help you prioritize the many areas of your life.

By asking lots of questions, a coach can help you to figure out the strategies that will work best for you to manage stress, care for yourself, and create a more satisfying life. Your time with a coach is devoted completely to you and what you want to accomplish. It’s a safe, nonjudgmental and confidential place where you can vent, share your frustrations or burdens, and brainstorm solutions that work for your unique circumstances. Having a coach is having someone who will support you, encourage you, and cheer you on every step of the way towards your goals.

My coach does this for me. She listens to my words and she hears my heart. Her questions challenge me to consider different perspectives that help me push forward towards my goals. She makes me aware of mindset shifts I can make to feel more empowered and energized. She encourages me and holds me accountable to do the things I say I want.

Recognizing our ability to choose to be empowered is so important. It’s healthy. It’s wise. It’s best for us and for our family. And it’s necessary for creating our own un-disabled life, even in the context of our current reality.

In what areas of your life might working with a coach be beneficial?