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Feb 16, 2009 10:30 am US/Central
Mother Creates Web Resources Archive For Autism
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Padraig's Place is a Web site that allows any family member to find everything from a school to a babysitter. (File)
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As the number of families dealing with autism increases, so does the need for help.
One mother wanted to make sure parents found that help easily, so she started a Web site where it takes just a click to find what Minnesota has to offer for families with children with special needs.
"If he sees something new, he gets pretty inquisitive about what it is," said Eileen Kelly, mother of 7-year-old Padraig.
Padraig has autism and mental retardation, and finding out how to help him wasn't always easy.
"Resources are very plentiful in Minnesota, but they are really hard to find," said Kelly.
When she went to find someone to care for Padraig, she called one organization, who told her to call the county, who told her to call the state, who told her to call day care centers.
Kelly said she wanted to save other parents the work she had to do.
"I found at the end of the day I was exhausted working and just navigating life. And then to have to sit down on the computer and try and find the help that I needed, it was really tough," she said.
Before long, Kelly started
Padraig's Place, a Web site that allows any family member to find everything from a school to a babysitter.
"We're going to match families with care providers who have skills or have an interest in working with special needs children," said Kelly.
You can also explore what activities are good for families with a special needs child, network with other families, and find a way to build a support network that doesn't burn out your family or friends.
"If you can get the help that you need, you can not focus your life upon the disability but rather integrated the disability into your lifestyle," said Kelly.
Padraig's Place is holding a
ski race this Friday to support its efforts. If you aren't a skier, you can still support the organization by going to the party after the race and enjoy the band, Blurred Vision.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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