Covid 19: Coping Tips for Special Needs Families.

9 Covid 19 Coping Tips for Special Needs Families.

 By Carolyne Destiny

The changes that came with the ongoing pandemic caught everyone unprepared. No one had a how-to Covid 19 hack. Everyone was first thrown off and we are all slowly bouncing back into a new normal. In quick succession, schools were closed and parents had to transform overnight into teachers. I still have some of the jokes and memes that flooded the internet as parents ‘expelled’ their own kids on day one of school. The isolation that followed was the hardest to deal with, for many. Explaining to children why they can’t go out to play with their friends was one of the hardest things to do. As the lockdown and stay at home directive took course, it was evident that we all needed coping mechanisms.

While it was hard on everyone, it was a tad, a big tad harder for special needs families. While schools provide a routine and structure, equipment, learning aids, therapies and professionals, all these were suddenly unavailable when schools closed abruptly. Parents had to find ways to fill in huge shoes, and the toll on them hasn’t been light. Special needs children are vulnerable, for most, their immune systems are fragile and for others, sudden change of routine and been indoors longer than they can handle is very frustrating. Sadly, we have seen the effects this has had on a couple of kids.

I caught up with Ken and Lily Mugane to try and find out how they were coping amidst Covid 19. The couple are parents to three awesome children; Wangari, 10yrs old, Muthoni, 8yrs and Munene, 5yrs old and in kindergarten. Munene, sweetly nicknamed Nene has Down syndrome.  The couple is part of T21 families support organization where Lily is the running secretary. In what simple but important ways has this family tried to cope with Covid 19?  

1.     Focus Inwards - This is a true reset button that has forced us to focus inwards. For us, family board games have become more frequent. We are also taking walks as a family which are great bonding moments.

2.     Swapping Working Hours- On homeschool, Lily admits that she had been considering it for the last two years and now she has gotten a taste of it. “Now it’s very clear to me that it needs dedicated time and commitment.” Like many other people, Lily is working from home during this period and her job can be quite demanding. “Luckily my job is flexible so am able to adjust my working hours to the time they are asleep, but it’s quite tiring putting in so many hours in a day” she says. However, my husband has been helpful even though he too has other businesses to attend to.

3.     Encouraging creativity - Many families around the world have been celebrating the things their kids have taken up since the lockdown. Some have observed milestones in their little ones and others are so proud to see little inventors coming out of their shells. For Lily, her three children have taken up painting and she’s seeing great artwork. “We just might produce the next award winners soon.” She adds.

4.     Sanitizing - We have talked about Corona and necessary measures we need to adhere to, washing hands every now and then is crucial. However, Munene finds it a bother but his sister is quick to remind him he will catch Corona. I see him visualizing Corona as this big monster.

5.     Building Immunity – We are taking in lots of fruits and water. We are also keeping active. If anyone goes out, the first thing they do is hit the shower before even saying hello.

6.     Staying Positive – To intentionally curb negativity in our home, we do not watch news much. We have reduced it to about once a week. Our kids know about Corona because we let them keep asking questions.

7.     Standing as one - As a family, we are taking a day as it comes. We are helping each other around as well as our domestic worker who has more work to do. We do takeout’s once a week too to break monotony.

8.     Alone Time - Our schedule has stuck with a deviation on the weekend when we have the board games. Our children have a scheduled life which am so grateful for. They go to bed by 8.30pm so as a couple we have time alone.

9.     Keeping Busy – Initially, our children did not like the idea of staying at home throughout, but they are getting used now. School work has kept them busy. Munene has heard a lot about Corona and he somehow knows it's the reason he has to stay in. He misses school but we are in touch with his teachers. To him though, if family is with him, he is fine.

How are you and your family coping amidst Covid 19?