Social life for a handicap person?

My granddaughter had cancer of the brain @ 7 mo old.radiation and the operation left her handicaped. The main thing she needs is socialization with other people. She is now 20. She attended school and had an aide to assist her. She was popular and had friends but she had to move out of the area and live with me. She is 4'2'' and doesn't act her age . But she is also smart and people underestimate her. She is on the waiting list for a place called Carey services....which will provide her with socialization and also help her with a job. They will help her even tho her fine motor skills are not good but there is a waiting list. They also have social things for them. but in the meantime she is depressed and wishes her life would end. Does any one know of social events for her.








Corries grandmother

Social life for a handicap person?
One in five Americans is disabled. Your granddaughter is not alone. I don't know what all she is capable of, but you might call the county and see what programs they offer.





A lot of counties have social programs where the people go swimming, do arts and crafts, go out to lunch, etc. Just a place to do fun things and form friendships.





If you live closeby (or if other family is available) they may put together a schedule to hang out with her - so perhaps every Friday you take her out to a movie and every Saturday, someone else takes her out bowling or swimming or whatever.





If she's capable of taking classes, she might want to look into classes at a junior college or recreation center.





The county may also offer help in terms of a caretaker who can check in with her and help you out too. This caretaker may be able to get her to classes and such.





If all else fails, perhaps she could find a hobby that she can do with you - maybe she can garden with you or help a neighbor with their pets. Anything that will get her out of the house and have fun things to do.





God Bless!
Reply:One thing you could do is get her around people who see her as just one of the crowd. I know someone who has MD, she has a caretaker and they go shopping, to baseball games, plays video games, movies, swimming for exercises to keep as many muscles moving and what will be of her interest.


That is the important thing.





Each person is different and will have to choose what they like to do, make sure she has to think and keep her wanting to go to the next day.





Hope you are able to hold both your granddaughter and your self.
Reply:you granddaughter is a very special person, and I think you should definately let the world see it! while she is on the waiting list, what you can do is take her out, go for walks, go to the cinema, maybe join a group or a club that you could both enjoy. you didn't say what her interests are, so I am not sure what would make her happy, but I am sure you can find something, maybe she could take a course or join a workshop... there are many things you can do together, and that will cheer her up, while she waits. don't worry about other people, just go out and have fun and do something that makes her smile. she will relaise that the wold is not such a bad place to be:-))) my best to both of you and best of luck!
Reply:You need to get her out and about and doing things with you i.e shopping, cinima, out for dinner, walks, theater and things like that.


If you gave us your county or city it would be easier to help you out a little more.


Good luck.