Helping Families Plan A Better Future
For Their Children With Additional Needs
Helping Families Plan A Better Future For Their Children With Additional Needs
Have you ever wondered?
How and where is my child going to live when I’m no longer around to protect them?
What will they do with their time when they leave school?
How will I be able to afford to give them the life I want for them?
Have you ever wondered?
How and where is my child going to live when I’m no longer around to protect them?
What will they do with their time when they leave school?
How will I be able to afford to give them the life I want for them?
The Challenges…
Teaching them to do what they need to do to become more independent is difficult
The independence skills they need aren’t consistently being taught at school
After they leave school, we are not sure what’s next for them
The amount of money we need for them to live semi or fully independently seems too high compared to what they will earn and what we will leave them
Even if they did have the money, we don’t feel secure it won’t be wasted
The Challenges…
Teaching them to do what they need to do to become more independent is difficult
The independence skills they need aren’t consistently being taught at school
After they leave school, we are not sure what’s next for them
The amount of money we need for them to live semi or fully independently seems too high compared to what they will earn and what we will leave them
Even if they did have the money, we don’t feel secure it won’t be wasted
The Prize
✔ Them being able to care for themselves (with or without support) and live each day with dignity
✔ Them having a purpose to their day, whether paid or voluntary, so there is a point to their day (and this activity also gives them valuable human interaction)
✔ Them having the right financial plan so they will be able to afford a life and be protected against themselves
But the real prize is with this greater independence they get increased self-respect and pride in themselves. For us, it’s peace of mind and the knowledge that they will be less vulnerable because they have greater self-sufficiency. This destination is a better place to be. This makes the question of what happens when I’m no longer around seem less daunting, where there’s no longer a cliff edge but a bridge to their lives when we are no longer around.
The Prize
✔ Them having a purpose to their day, whether paid or voluntary, so there is a point to their day (and this activity also gives them valuable human interaction)
✔ Them having the right financial plan so they will be able to afford a life and be protected against themselves
But the real prize is with this greater independence they get increased self-respect and pride in themselves. For us, it’s peace of mind and the knowledge that they will be less vulnerable because they have greater self-sufficiency. This destination is a better place to be. This makes the question of what happens when I’m no longer around seem less daunting, where there’s no longer a cliff edge but a bridge to their lives when we are no longer around.
The Journey
You never start any journey without some idea of how to get there. The Red Giraffe Route Map™️ uses this concept, identifying four lines to navigate with your child to support them to reach their chosen destination.
A functional life has a safe place to live and the ability to look after ourselves, these are Daily Living skills – represented by the Green Line.
A rewarding life has a day filled with activity, a Purpose, rather than days spent looking for ways to fill in time to alleviate boredom – represented by the Yellow Line.
A safe life has Financial Security, a plan that includes sources of income and ways to protect money if appropriate – represented by the Blue Line.
A happy life has people in it, maybe not every day, but meaningful interactions when needed, this is Relationships – represented by the Purple Line.
The Journey
You never start any journey without some idea of how to get there. The Red Giraffe Route Map™️ uses this concept, identifying four lines to navigate with your child to support them to reach their chosen destination.
A functional life has a safe place to live and the ability to look after ourselves, these are Daily Living skills – represented by the Green Line.
A rewarding life has a day filled with activity, a Purpose, rather than days spent looking for ways to fill in time to alleviate boredom – represented by the Yellow Line.
A safe life has Financial Security, a plan that includes sources of income and ways to protect money if appropriate – represented by the Blue Line.
A happy life has people in it, maybe not every day, but meaningful interactions when needed, this is Relationships – represented by the Purple Line.
