When your child has complex needs, navigating services and support systems can feel overwhelming. For Miranda, whose 18-year-old son Andrew has an unbalanced translocation of chromosomes 5 and 15 and lives with intellectual and developmental disabilities, finding the right resources wasn’t always straightforward. Like many parents, she wanted to do everything she could for her son but wasn’t sure where to begin.
“I was very confused and didn’t understand how to navigate the system,” Miranda shared. Looking for guidance, she connected with Parent Network of WNY.
What Miranda needed most wasn’t just another resource—it was someone to help make sense of the many programs, agencies, and services available. “They helped me organize who I had already contacted, what programs were not helpful to us, and explained what I needed to do,” she said.
Through her experience, Miranda realized something many families experience but don’t always say out loud: parents of children with disabilities often need more support than they receive, and navigating available resources shouldn’t be so complicated.
Having someone to help simplify the process made a meaningful difference. Rather than trying to figure everything out alone, Miranda had someone she could turn to for guidance and direction, giving her greater confidence as she continued advocating for Andrew.
For families raising children or supporting adults with disabilities, the path forward can often feel uncertain. Parent Network of WNY is here to help make that journey a little easier by providing trusted information, individualized support, educational opportunities, and guidance every step of the way. Whether you’re just beginning to navigate services or looking for additional resources, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to Parent Network of WNY and let us help you find the support, answers, and connections your family deserves.
