Having a child or family member with a significant disability almost alwaysdictates that you find a support system, a group of families that have 'been there, done that'.  The systems - medical, insurance, educational, adult services - are much too complicated to travel alone.  
I was very blessed early on, right after I adopted Ashley, to connect with the Virginia Deafblind Project at the Partnership For People With Disabilities as well as a family-centered support group named Dreamcatchers.  But in my state, Virginia, keeping families connected when they are spread around a large state is difficult.  Dreamcatchers did its best for many years, but busy lives and long drives finally led to its demise.  
The good news is that there is a new family-centered group that is blooming.  The information about that group is listed below.  I encourage anyone who can make the drive to their meeting do so.  Trust me, you won't regret it.  And here is another family's story that illustrates that very point...
Connections Beyond Sight and Sound
Maryland Deaf-blind Project 
          DC Deaf-blind Project
          VA Deaf-blind Project 
          Tri-State Area Family Leaders 
          NFADB  
“Meet and Greet Family Event“
Location: University of Maryland 
1308 Benjamin Bldg
College Park, MD 20742 
Date: April 28, 2013
Time: 12:30 – 2:30 PM
*Snacks and refreshments will be served
*RSVP by April 24th, 2013 – Please contact Susan Wyatt, Swyatt(at)umd.edu or Donna Riccobono, donnaric(at)umd.edu 
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