They are Born to Fly... Valerie's life turned upside-down the day she heard the diagnosis: Autism. Already the mother of a child with ADHD, bi-polar and seizure disorder, she refused to believe the doctors who said Chanel would never speak, write, or survive in a typical school environment. Worried about her daughter's future and infuriated by a broken, bureaucratic special education system that endangered Chanel's well-being on several occasions, Valerie armed herself with knowledge and became an advocate force to be reckoned with in her local school district. Unfortunately, her fast-growing non-attorney advocate business and great success in district reform did not dissolve the fear, anger, and sadness that is a natural part of raising a child with special needs. And when tragedy struck, not once but twice, Valerie found herself in unfamiliar emotional territory, being guided and supported by her two special needs angels to follow her heart and find her own wings. In Advocating for Your Angel, Valerie beautifully weaves her own powerful story of parenting a special needs angel with the information, strategies, and tools she used as a non-attorney advocate to transform her district and help Chanel graduate from a typical high school...with honors.In this book, you'll learn:* What Your Angel Really Needs from You to Find Their Wings* Your Parental Rights and Your Child's Rights in Easy-to-Understand Legal Terms* Tools and Strategies for Facilitating Powerful IEPs and Negotiating with Your District* Exercises to Help You Move from Pain to Purpose and Find Your Own Wings* A New Approach to Inclusion and An Evolutionary Lesson Our Angels are Here to ShareIf you are ready to be inspired and empowered to roll up your sleeves and advocate for your angel, this is the book for you. ...Only We Can Help Them Find Their Wings

Cultivate effective partnerships between parents and professionals through honest, respectful and skillful communication The authors draw upon the metaphor of "dance" to better understand the complexities and possibilities of forming partnerships between educators, administrators, early childhood providers, therapists, support staff, other professionals, and parents of children with disabilities. This revised edition of Do You Hear What I Hear? Parents and Professionals Working Together for Children With Special Needs is rich with stories, examples, and practical insights. This book, written from both the parent′s and the professional′s points of view, provides a developmental approach to understanding and forging positive adult relationships, while also providing concrete ways to advocate for children. The authors′ years of experience as successful consultants, trainers, and educators lends this helpful resource a deep sense of realism and compassion. They remind the reader of how essential the parent-professional partnership is—and why it IS a dance that matters. Key features include: Practical insights and evidence-based approaches to forming partnerships Easy-to-read, non-technical language that speaks to both the heart and the mind Sample letters and other forms of communication shared between professionals and parents Stories and examples of real-world conversations between parents and professionals Effective ways to handle difficult situations Rich with humor and heart, this highly readable book offers helpful steps for self reflection, personnel preparation, and parent-professional training. Educators and parents will find expert guidance for listening to each other′s music, trying out each other′s dance steps, and working toward a new dance that includes contributions from all—with the ultimate reward of seeing children achieve their highest potential.

'How I overcame cancer the natural way.' Declining chemotherapy for my cancer and treating myself through diet is possibly one of the best decisions I have made. Advising billion dollar companies and individuals in more than 25 countries while at the same time treating myself for cancer with a strict, regimented diet was a seemingly impossible challenge. But with the help of honey, black seed oil, apricot seeds, carrot juice, pineapple and other natural foods I astonished doctors by keeping my cancer at bay. I am an international lawyer, with a law firm which deals with cases all over the world. But the biggest challenge of my life came with my second bout of cancer.This book goes into detail regarding my two bouts of cancer, dealing with the despair I felt and overcame - firstly with the help of chemotherapy and then without it.How in 2011 I rejected chemotherapy and researched using Dr Google to treat myself with healthy food. How through seeking knowledge I developed my personal cancer fighting regime which consisted of eating the right foods I believed would heal me. I include an easy to follow summary of my diet at the end of the book. The Angel's Advocate will show you how I believe that whatever your mind can conceive and believe it can achieve, but only if we have a positive mentality and a can-do attitude. It does not offer a cure for cancer, because everybody's cancer is unique to them. But its inspirational and uplifting story, practical tips is fascinating, educational and informative. I hope it will help anybody connected with cancer - patients, friends, family - and those who want to look at an alternative perspective on the disease to view cancer through new eyes. To understand that we do not have to let it dominate us; we can take back control.

An innocent nine-year-old girl with a disease or dystrophy making it impossible for her to ever walk or run, is sitting in a jogging chair. You have been trusted to be her feet, so you run; you run like the wind Can you envision this? Well, I certainly can because I have done that on many occasions. Perhaps you should start running, and who knows, maybe one day you will run with the wind, too

"...is a compilation of life lessons learned by the parents of a child with significant special needs. The book shares critical strategies and practical advice to help you navigate the maze of financial, educational and emotional decisions you will face each day as a parent or caregiver. This handbook is designed to help you focus on what is most important in your life as you deal with the constant challenges. You will learn how to survive and even thrive while providing the best for your child."--P. [4] of cover.

6 THE DIAGNOSIS One month before Anthony turned three years of age we finally got a diagnosis. Autism! Anthony was given this diagnosis by displaying the following symptoms: 1. No imaginative or social play. 2. Impaired ability to make friends with peers. 3. Inability to have a conversation with others. 4. Repetitive use of language. 5. Patterns of interest that was abnormal in intensity or focus. 6. Inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals. 7. Preoccupation with parts of objects. Autism is a social disorder that affects every child differently. I am thankful that Anthony was actually diagnosed as high functioning, which meant there was hope for improvement. Anthony was one and a half to two years delayed in almost everything, was sensory sensitive, and considered hyperactive. In the beginning, he was hearing sensitive and then later became partially deaf. He could not stand certain textures on his body or to touch. It was sometimes difficult to keep clothes on him; he pulled his clothing off several times a day. He was orally sensitive to the texture of foods and would not eat very many varieties. He would first smell the food, and then touch it with his tongue before it ever entered his mouth. He could not eat a lot of food because of its texture. He only ate a few basic things; including anything with cheese. To this date has to have ranch dressing and or ketchup with any food he eats. He has never liked or ate snacks like Twinkies, cupcakes, pastries, cake, or cookies. He only likes plain chocolate candy, no taffy or anything chewy or with nuts and he can't tolerate gum in his mouth. Anthony loves chocolate ice cream with lots of chocolate syrup, but will not eat whip cream on top. The first feelings I experienced once we received the diagnosis were mixed. I had already pretty much diagnosed him myself by then. OK God, now I know what it's called, but what do I do about it? How do I help him to just be able to cope and make it through one day? I began to read every book I could get my hands on. I thanked God that my child was not as severe as some of the ones I had read about. Some of the books were both scary and depressing. Some of the children I read about ended up being sent to hospitals or special homes because it was too difficult for their families to care for them at home. When my older children and other family members were told of Anthony's diagnosis, it was not really a surprise to anyone. My family and older children have always been supportive in every way they could, and have always tried to help with Anthony and believed the best for him. The following week I attended a singles group meeting. This was just where God wanted me to be at this particular time. Have you ever felt desperate and you went to a church service and it was totally meant for God to minister to you and your problem? God knew exactly where I was and He met me there. I entered that room that night quite overwhelmed and discouraged. I needed something from God. I was a single mother trying to face all of this alone. There is no known cure for Autism and the doctors don't even know what causes it or prevents it. As I sat there and listened to the minister God spoke to my heart. This minister was telling a story that had taken place some years ago. His son had been in the hospital very ill. Although he was only an infant he was struggling just to stay alive. They were given a diagnosis and told what to expect. This man turned to God on behalf of his son. He put his total faith in God and then reminded God, what His Word says. I Peter 2:24 says "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we dead to sins should live to righteousness by whose stripes we were healed". (KJV) Anything less than a perfectly normal child was unacceptable to him. Those words stuck in my mind through the difficult and hard years to come. At that moment I also c

Encouragement and inspiration for special needs families God has a unique and magnificent purpose for every child-a purpose that is no less important for special-needs children. Through the story of her own ongoing struggles and victories raising her autistic son, Kelly Langston brings to light God's promises for exceptional kids and highlights covenants that assure special-needs parents of their children's potential and beauty.