There are plenty of challenges raising a loved one with special needs — things are never done in a snap. However, things are done easier with the help of Foothills SNAPS (Special Needs Association for Parents and Siblings), one of 10 charities part of the Western Wheel Cares campaign this year. That was the case for present SNAPS president Kathy Thornhill. Her son, Austin, 13, has autism and epilepsy and the family joined SNAPS in 2009, shortly after he was rejected by a Foothills area nursery due to behavioural issues. “Not only were we dealing with the challenge of being given the pronouncement that our son would never be typical, we were feeling pretty lost and alone and being rejected from his community,” said Thornhill, an Okotoks resident. “This was a beautiful little boy that had a lot of love in his heart.” A friend recommended Thornhill contact Foothills SNAPS. “My first thought was actually ‘Gosh, I don’t need another agency’ — I wasn’t aware that Foothills SNAPS would be there for me and my family,” she said. “In 2009, the SNAPS family support worker came to my house — at that point I was very housebound.” She defines SNAPS as “a community support network for families with disabilities... There is no barrier to access for supports in SNAPS, everyone is helped regardless of diagnosis, age, mental wellness, developmental needs — everyone is helped.” Serving on the SNAPS board and becoming president was a way of paying forward all the non-profit organization has done for her and her family. A support worker’s small gesture went a long ways to earning the Thornhills trust nearly 10 years ago. “She actually held my hand while I cried, she understood the fear that parents have for their child when he or she has been newly diagnosed,” Thornhill said. “When my husband and I were told my son would likely never talk, likely never have genuine friendships, likely never attend a mainstream school like his big sister, I felt pretty devastated. “That family support worker became our lifeline to services.” SNAPS representatives have been with the Thornhills through school meetings, medical appointments, including a visit to the Alberta Children’s Hospital when Austin had a diagnosis for epilepsy. “They walked me through accessing mental health supports for him as well,” she said. “Because that family support worker walked us through a very complex and confusing system of accessing services, we were actually able to attain all of the goals we were told our son would never achieve.” Those achievements go beyond what can be measured on a health chart, like the size of grin when playing with friends at an Okotoks playground. “Today my son talks up a storm, he has attended mainstream school since pre-kindergarten and he has a couple of genuine friendships,” Thornhill said. “That’s not to say we don’t have challenges, but because of SNAPS, I know we are going to succeed.” Part of that success is from SNAPS providing information for families to give needed rest time — Thornhill’s interview was being done while the organization was providing respite care to give her a break from home. Some of the services include respite for parents, transitional planning to help young people like Austin for plans after their schooling and SibShops, which is specific for the siblings of special needs children. “Those are just some of the programs you can access through the SNAPS family support program,” Thornhill said. “You are taught how to advocate for yourself, where to go for support, who to speak with and to move through the process... whatever your family needs are, they have a connection to a resource they can help you and they will work you through it.” This is the first year SNAPS has been a part of the Western Wheel Cares initiative. The other charities participating in the Western Wheel Cares campaign are Foothills Country Hospice, Habitat for Humanity Foothills Chapter, Magic of Christmas, Okotoks Food Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area, Rowan House Society, Sheep River Health Trust, St. Vincent de Paul and Pound Rescue. To participate in Wheel Cares, call the Western Wheel office Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 403-938-6397 to make a donation using your credit card. The Western Wheel also accepts debit, cash and cheques (payable to ‘Western Wheel Cares’) at 9 McRae Street or mailed to Box 150, Okotoks, AB T1S 2A2. Please do not mail cash. Alternatively, visitwesternwheel.com to use Paypal. Donations of $10 or more receive a 2018 official tax receipt at the end of the campaign.
