skip banner - Return to original view
© Copyright Contact a Family 2010.
http://www.cafamily.org.uk
0808 808 3555 - helpline@cafamily.org.uk
Free Contact a Family helpline for parents & families ( Textphone: 0808 808 3556 )
10am-4pm Mon-Fri / 5:30 - 7:30pm Mon

This is a (printer friendly) extract from The Contact a Family website, which is one of the leading information resources for families of disabled children and those who work with them. The full online version of this page can be found at
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/families/familyissues/grandparents/tips.html
site viewing options
 
Parents|Medical Information|Professionals|In your area|Campaigns

Tips from grandparents

Get involved
 

Contact a Family statement on the baby RB case

Nov 06 2009

Srabani Sen, Chief Executive of Contact a Family, said: “The case of baby RB highlights the incredibly difficult and painful decisions that families with disabled children sometimes face.

“We believe families must be given good quality, objective information to enable them to make the right decision for themselves. They must also be given the right support at this very difficult time.

“Families have the right to make decisions on their child’s quality of life.

“Families become experts in their child’s condition but their expertise is not always recognised by professionals. Our own research What makes my family stronger found that 62 per cent of families have a poor or unsatisfactory experience of being listened to by professionals.

“Contact a Family is here to support families in whatever decision they make.”

 

Grandparents often feel afraid and don't quite know how to help or how to get involved. It doesn't always mean providing physical help but perhaps getting involved in fundraising for a local group for example. Sometimes it is easier to back off, but if you're flexible and prepared to think around the situation, there might just be something you can do which helps. Sometimes it is the little things that matter like taking your son or daughter out to lunch, doing the shopping or babysitting so they can take a bath in peace.

  • be led by the parents - they will tell you what they need
  • accept that advice won't always be welcome from you
  • just be there
  • try to understand the impact of the disability
  • remember that the caring goes on after you are no longer around
  • if it doesn't help, don't say it
  • don't be oversensitive - sometimes parents will need someone to let off steam to
  • offer help, don't wait to be asked, but be sensitive
  • focus on the child, not on the diagnosis
  • respect that parents need to strive for the best potential of their child and acceptance of the child's disability may take a long time for the parents
  • encourage the child to have age-appropriate dress and appearance
  • information is very important to find and to share
  • jump in with both feet
  • you can't generalise about disability
  • don't neglect the siblings - they have special needs too
  • if you have money, give them money now to buy help now, don't wait to leave it to them in your will.

For more tips and views like these download our Grandparents guide.

 

This Web Site © Copyright, Contact a Family 2010
Contact a Family, 209-211 City Road, London EC1V 1JN
Tel: 020 7608 8700

Registered Charity No. 284912. Charity registered in Scotland No. SC039169
Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No. 1633333.
HM Revenue & Customs charity tax reference No. XN54769. VAT Reg. No. GB 749 3846 82

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.