Group of parents helps one another

Speakers will be chosen based on input from members.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF Writer
BOARDMAN -- Danielle Hiner wants to spare other parents of children with disabilities from some of the frustration and difficulties that she's gone through.
That's the genesis behind Parent 2 Parent, a new group for people living in the township who have children with disabilities. The group's first meeting runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the gymnasium of Stadium Drive Elementary.
"If I'm going through these things, I'm not the only one," Hiner said.
Mary Anne Schaper of the Hine Memorial Fund, a group that provides assistance to parents of children with disabilities, is the keynote speaker for the first meeting.
The need for such a group became apparent last year to Hiner, whose 8-year-old son, Joey, has cerebral palsy, autism and a disease that causes seizures. That's when she learned through school administrators of state and federal budget cuts that affected her son.
"All of the budget cuts really just left me reeling and I thought, if I were a parent that was new to the area, I wouldn't know where to turn," Hiner said.
Various issues
Some issues she's dealt with include lack of insurance coverage for some of her son's treatments as well as just managing the day-to-day challenges.
Hiner, chairwoman of the Boardman PTA Council's committee for special education, pointed out that the group isn't part of the school system, but she said it has the support of school district officials.
Each meeting will include an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. That may be done vocally or in writing if the parent is more comfortable that way, Hiner said.
Speakers will be chosen based on what participants indicate they want to learn about.
"We're trying to keep parents updated on what community services are available out there," Hiner said.
Group interaction
Attendees also will be able to talk in small groups, gathering information about how other parents dealt with a particular issue.
Membership is open to all Boardman residents who have children with disabilities. It's not restricted to parents of children who attend Boardman schools.
"It's not just a support group, it's for socializing too," Hiner said.
It provides a venue for parents dealing with similar issues to gather.
"If parents feel accepted in something then they'll take that home and their children will pick up on that feeling of being accepted," she said.
Other meetings are set for March and May with a picnic planned for July.
Although it won't be a political body, working as a group also could be helpful if group members see something in state or federal budget cuts or legislation they think needs to be change.
"By uniting, I feel we can get a lot done and be there for one another," Hiner said.
She sent letters to parents of pupils in the school district's special needs units informing them about the meetings. The group isn't the first time that Hiner and other members of the committee for special education have organized programs to aid children with disabilities.
Each year, they sponsor a poster contest for each school with a theme incorporating special education issues.
She also hopes to organize Junior Council for Exceptional Children, where pupils in regular classes would give up play time to spend it with children in special needs units. That concept must be approved by school principals.
"It's a great way for children with special needs to be around children -- other than children with special needs," Hiner said.
denise_dick@vindy.com