Topic Suggestion: Disabled Parents

[hub2dee]

We've got an SN area for the kids, and one could argue parents with disabilities could post / discuss stuff there, but I'm wondering if having a disabled parenting section might be a good idea ?

There is a Disabled Parents Network but I think it would be nice if disabled parents visited / used MN they had a topic area they felt they could post in to discuss specific parenting / product requirements etc. aside from 'Other Subjects' perhaps.

Neither myself nor dw is disabled but a friend of ours is and she sometimes finds it difficult / painful to pick up her baby, and might have special requirements from a pushchair, or how to cope with a second kid etc. etc. and was hesitant about joining / posting to MN as her situation seemed rather unique compared to most other posters IYSWIM.

Just an idea. Perhaps it's too divisive of the 'Parenting' topic....

Anyone ?

[Marina]

Good idea hub2dee. I know there are wheelchair users on Mumsnet and people with disabled/chronically ill partners too.

[lynny70]

Message deleted

[hub2dee]

Thanks lynny70 and Marina.

I fear the topic might be rather quiet to start with, but as long as it's there it could act as a focus to discussions which otherwise might get lost deep in Other Subjects (so new surfers with disabilities might well not see them), or held on other parenting / disabled sites... there is an argument, though, that perhaps those other sites have a greater relevant knowledge-base or can offer more tailored resources, but I'd guess that with time, the 'on site know how' here would grow.

Also, in the same way parents of NT children have benefitted from greater understanding of SN children / SN parenting issues on mumsnet, I imagine the able-bodied would learn / appreciate some of the unique issues disabled parents face, and that would be good for all.

[KarenThirl]

Yes, I'd use it. When I first came onto MN I was rather surprised that there wasn't a disabled parents section, tbh, as it seems to cover everything else.

[Carriemumsnet]

Thanks for the suggestion. We'll certainly add it to the agenda at the next mumsnet meeting which is quite soon and get back to you.

Thanks again

[hub2dee]

I'll bump occasionally over the next week in case less regular users want to chime in / state whether they would / wouldn't want such a topic area.

[misdee]

yes definatly.

[onlyjoking9329]

yep brill idea

[hub2dee]

.

[lou33]

isn't sn for everyone tho, not just for kids?

[Janh]

Well it could be, lou, but I can see how it's taken to be for kids - adults are generally described as disabled rather than SN, aren't they?

Maybe the topic title could be changed to accommodate both?

[lou33]

dunno jan, i say ds2 is disabled, not sn

[lou33]

disabilities/special needs maybe?

[hub2dee]

Good idea, Lou.

I mentioned it because a friend of ours didn't feel there was a particular 'place' for her to post about her part. issues / concerns IYSWIM. SN has tended to be (I think) much more to do with kids' issues though (and parents handling thereof)... I appreciate there are sometimes areas of overlap regarding special equipment etc.

PS - seen your bathroom floor lately ?

[lou33]

not recently

[Issymum]

Excellent idea hub2dee. DH is a wheelchair user and there are issues that it would be good to share. Those issues are clearly completely different to those of having an SN child and I don't think fit comfortably within the SN area.

[Issymum]

Just another thought. Whilst the title of the SN section could be changed to accommodate disabled parents, culturally the SN board is a space where parents of SN children can discuss the needs and challenges of caring for their children and I just don't see any overlap with the issues faced by a disabled parent of an NT child. This may be because I point-blank refuse to recognise "the disabled community" and just see individuals with disabilities which affect them in radically different ways.

[hub2dee]

Lou: I had hoped you were going to dangle the stairs out of a window and hitch them in with a Land Rover wynch... oh well.

Issymum: ref "the disabled community" vs. individuals w. disabilities, would you like to see a particular name for this topic ? ref: overlap of issues... there are some, surely, like house modifications or special cuttlery perhaps, but I agree there are loads of issues (political / social / equipment etc.) which are unique to adults with disabilities.

[Issymum]

I think I would just call it 'Disabled Parents' in line with 'Step-Parents' or 'Student Parents'. My guess is that the topic would kick off with threads about parenting as a disabled person and then over time morph into more general threads about being or living with a person with a disability.

I guess, politically speaking, it should be called 'Parents with a disability' because these are parents with a disability rather than less-able parents, but that is just too PC for me!

[lou33]

hub, they are a pita, but at the same time useful, driving me mad

[Rachel (mumsnet)]

Hi there

We all agree this is a good idea and will be setting up a topic - 'Disabled Parents' over the next week or so. We'll let you know once it's up and running.

Rachel