My family is very supportive of me. As I sit here reflecting on supports I realize that my mother is a huge support. My mom retired from her job to keep my 9 month old son everyday while I am at work. Often times she cooks dinner before I get home and helps my two daughters (11 & 7) with their homework. This is a big help to me with me being in a Masters program. My husband is a huge support he picks my children up everyday after school and makes sure they get home safely, he starts the bottles for me in the evening and takes the trash out on trash days. He keeps my son occupied while I am working on homework, and even starts the laundry if needed. It is a huge benefit having my mother around to do the things that she is doing for me, it takes the load off of me. I had a really hard time trying to find someone to care for my son. I did not want him in some of the environments that I had him in and neither did my mother. He is making out much better home with her. The fact that she cooks meals and helps with homework is a big help to me and my husband. Another great big support that I have are my girls. My eldest daughter really helps me out with my son. Both of my daughters run all over the house to provide things for thier little brother. They get bottles, diapers, pacifier (every time it falls out of his mouth), clothes out of the drawer, and food. They keep him occupied also when I am busy. They have really stepped up and helped me a lot and I tell them how much I appreciate their help.
Without these supports in place life would be difficult. I probably would have to stay home and keep my son myself. I would have to dedicate time to my kids homework, and cooking meals instead of working on homework. If my husband were not here I would never be able to do the things that I do. He also takes the load off by sharing the work around the home, and keeping my son occupied. If I didn't have these supports I probably would not be able to work, or go to school.
I really could not even imagine functioning with a challenge but if I had to imagine one I guess it would be the challenge of hearing loss. If I lost my hearing I would have to have many supports to be able to know what people are saying. I would have to learn sign language to communicate. The supports that I would need are supports driving, and if the baby was crying I would need a support to help me to hear him. I would still need the support of my mother and my husband with various daily activities. If they were not there I would not know what to do. Supports are important to have. No man is an island we need the help of one another.
