It Matters: Lessons from My Son

by Janice Fialka

The first two poems in this booklet, "It Matters" and "For Pam." tell pieces of the stories of two strong mothers who fought hard to ensure that their children received what they needed.
"You Can Make A Difference in Our Lives" and " the 'F-Word' in Parent-Professional Partnerships" both offer insights and suggestions to professionals who work with families and their children with special needs. My parent voice is prominent in these two articles. I also draw on my personal experiences as a veteran social worker of twenty years....
"On Having to Give Bad News" is a small tribute to the many professionals - educators, therapists, consultants, psychologists, physicians, and so on - who have fallen in love with Micah and other children like him....
I have also included a journal entry about my experience as Emma's mother. Emma is Micah's younger sister by four years... "When a Sibling Asks the Tough Questions" describes how I handled her first direct inquiry about Micah's differences
The final poem, "The Gift of Support Groups," was literally written while driving home from a support group for parents of children with special needs....
additional poems
School Lessons
The Label
Chucky's Story by Ann Herrold

39 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

About the author

Janice Fialka is an award-winning advocate and nationally-recognized lecturer on issues related to disability, parent-professional partnerships, inclusion, raising a child with disabilities, sibling issues, and post-secondary education. She has authored a newly released book of her son's journey into a fully inclusive life: What Matters: Reflections on Disability, Community and Love.