Living with an impaired child

Life changes at a stroke when parents learn that their child is born with a disability. It is no different for parents who receive the diagnosis that their child is not developing according to age or is chronically ill. After the initial shock, many questions arise. In this situation, empathetic counseling is especially important. Parents in North Rhine-Westphalia should know who they can turn to and where they can get the best possible support. Here on the Familienportal.NRW we have compiled the most important points of contact for you.

In order to master the many challenges of life with a disabled child, special help and support is needed from fellow human beings and professionals. There are numerous counseling centers in Germany for everything to do with family and parenting. Many have a focus on life with disabled children. You will also find facilities in your area that point the way to help and support. Do not be afraid to accept help. The first step is a consultation. A search on the Internet offers initial information, but above all addresses and contacts to specialized agencies.

• The Inclusion Portal of the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia provides an overview of the assistance offers and activities in NRW as well as links to counseling facilities. Counseling services for people with disabilities and their relatives in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found via this search engine.
• A guide for families with a disabled or chronically ill child provides the Federal Center for Health Education BZgA on its portal Kindergesundheit-Info.
• The Kindernetzwerk e.V. is the umbrella organization of self-help of families with children and young adults with chronic diseases and disabilities. The portal offers special information on many topics for parents of disabled children who are looking for advice and support.
• The Portal Familienratgeber of Aktion Mensch covers many topics related to living with a disability, including those related to children. In addition, there is a large list of outpatient and inpatient facilities.
• The Lebenshilfe offers on its website an overview of many issues related to life with a disabled child. Lebenshilfe is active nationwide in areas ranging from early intervention to integrative day care centers for children and far beyond. On the website, you can quickly find what offers in your area.
• Consultation on disability assistance and support services is also offered by the German Red Cross. On the pages of the DRK-Verband you can find out about local assistance programs.
• The Caritas NRW supports people in many forms of disability assistance so that they can lead their lives as independently as possible. In addition, counseling strengthens personal and social skills. On the homepage you will find detailed information about the offers of the church welfare association.
• The Parity NRW forms the umbrella of about 3,200 organizations in the field of social work. This includes assistance of early support, participation and inclusion, as well as the open disability assistance.
• Tips for parents of children with disabilities also offers the portal enableme.de of the foundation MyHandcap.
• My Heart Laughs is a network for parents with physically, mentally or emotionally impaired children. Here you will find exchange, knowledge and many other offers such as local parent groups, web meetings, an online community and much more.
• The Supplementary Independent Participation Counseling (EUTB) financed by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs supports and advises people with disabilities, people at risk of disability, but also their relatives free of charge nationwide on issues of rehabilitation and participation; this also in advance of a possible application for benefits. The peer counseling is an important aspect of the held counseling services.
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