My name is Wendy and I am a single mother of six children.

I write this letter with much love and sincerity to express how important it has been for my family to receive the help of respite.

Two of my children have special needs. My youngest son is three years old and has been diagnosed with autism, and my other son is seven years old and has been diagnosed with ADHD.

As a mother, I love all of my children deeply, but I must also be honest in saying that raising children with special needs can be very challenging physically, emotionally, and mentally.

My three-year-old son is a child full of love and energy. Because of his condition, he sometimes has behaviors that are difficult to manage. He can be very restless, impulsive and requires constant attention. My seven-year-old son also faces daily challenges related to his diagnosis. Both need a lot of support, patience, and supervision. Although my other children help me when they can, the main responsibility falls on me.

The respite help has been a blessing to our family. Especially during the summer, when kids get out of school, this help allows me to enroll them in programs and camps where they can participate in positive activities, learn new skills, and socialize with other kids. Seeing them interact with other people, build confidence, and enjoy enriching experiences fills me with joy and hope.

I am also deeply grateful for the financial support that allows me to have someone to take care of my children for a few hours. As a mother, there are times when I need a little break to regain strength, attend to other responsibilities or just breathe. That time helps me return with more energy and patience to continue taking care of my children in the best way possible.

One of the hardest things for me is entrusting the care of my children to other people, especially my three-year-old with autism. He still can’t communicate verbally like other kids his age and often struggles to express what he feels or needs. When he is hungry, wants something, or feels uncomfortable, he gets frustrated because he cannot explain what is happening to him. In those moments he may cry, get angry, throw objects or hit, not because he wants to hurt, but because he cannot find another way to communicate. For that reason, I am very concerned about leaving him in the care of someone who does not understand his needs or who does not have the patience to help him. Finding trustworthy people who treat you with love, respect, and understanding is not easy.

As a mother, I am always concerned that my children are safe, well cared for, and surrounded by people who understand the challenges they face each day. Respite help has given me peace of mind because it allows me to access resources and support that would otherwise be very difficult to obtain. Knowing that there are programs and people trained to work with children with special needs gives me hope and helps me feel like I’m not alone on this journey.

I am convinced that these programs make a huge difference in the lives of many families like mine. Our children have the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop in environments where they receive support and understanding.

Thanks to this help, my children can access experiences that contribute positively to their well-being and development. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the people who make this program possible. May God bless you for the help you provide to families who have children with special needs.

Your support not only benefits our children, but also the parents who give our best every day to take care of them and help them get ahead.

Thank you for listening to my story and for continuing to provide support to families like mine.

Your help means more than words can express.