Editor's Note
Special Needs
By Jillian Melnyk, Editor
How quickly time flies! It seems like much less than a
year ago that we were putting together the finishing
touches on our Second Annual Special Needs Guide,
and here we are a whole year later, bringing you our third edition. Last year's issue was met with incredible success – we received numerous e-mails, phone calls, and letters from our readers who were touched by the personal essay written by local mom, Vicki Dodds Schultz. (Additionally, Vicki won a bronze award for her piece at the Parenting Publications of America conference last spring).
For this year's Special Needs issue, I had the privilege of interviewing five very special local families. I was touched by their incredible stories and the level of courage, hope, and passion that each one of them exudes. If you are a family with a child with a special need (or even if you aren't), I know you will find their stories inspiring and enriching. Along with our focus story on special families, this month's issue is packed with special needs themed editorial and resources that will inform and educate your family.
As I have mentioned in previous editorial notes, I have been spending a lot of time working on genealogy and family history research. In honor of National Grandparent's Day on September 13th, local writer Sally Bacchetta brings you some great ideas on how kids and grandparents can connect. When I was young, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents on my father's side of the family – my sister and I visited them in Las Vegas every summer. The memories I made there were fantastic. Still, I wish that I had the chance to connect with them when I was older and ask questions that had never crossed my mind when I was a child. This month, I encourage your family to take some time to connect with grandparents near and far – they are the link to your past as well as a part of your future. Happy fall! I, for one, can't wait to get outside and do some hiking and check out the beautiful fall foliage. (Pssst: Check out our Fall Fun Guide and a great family hiking article from local writer and nature enthusiast Angela Cannon-Crothers on page 60.)
Jillian
This column appeared originally in the September 2009 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine.