Family Stories from Parent to Parent

El Programa de Padres a Padres da apoyo a familias con miembros con necesidades especiales de salud y discapacidades.
The Parent-to-Parent Program supports families with members with special health care needs and disabilities.

I would like to introduce Parent to Parent’s intern, Kristen Hanson. Kristen is attending WWCC in the Human Services Social Work program. She got into this program and is interested in social work because of her beautiful daughter Hannah who is 8 and is diagnosed with Autism.

Happy Mother’s Day, moms! I hope you are all appropriately honored this month. It’s been nearly 22 years since I became a mother and my list of identities: daughter, sister, wife, grew to include “mom.” My first two daughters, born 17 months apart, changed the way I view myself. My third daughter changed my world.

Five years ago, I graduated from Whitman College after having spent three years in the Whitman College Buddy Program, including a one-year stint as the program coordinator. To say that the Buddy Program shaped my own values and guiding principles would be a vast understatement.

My name is Whitney Lux and I started volunteering with the WWVDN when I was 11 years old. I got involved with the Network when Haley Witt moved into my neighborhood; we instantly clicked and spent countless hours playing together in my front yard. When Angie invited me to attend a training, I knew I had to go.

Hello everyone! My name is Patrick McFetridge and I am an Elementary Physical Education teacher at Edison Elementary. I have been coaching with Parent to Parent for around 17 years which has included baseball, soccer and basketball.

When social distancing started in March, I had significant anxiety for my son Emery. He has bipolar disorder and autism. My husband Mike and I, the Walla Walla school district teachers, therapists, and medical professionals have worked hard to support him so he can live to his fullest potential.

It was 2:30 a.m. I woke with a start in the hospital room. The day before had been a long day. My wife had gone into labor early that morning, 5 weeks early.

Kati and Kevin Tureman just finished the process of becoming guardians for their 18 year old daughter Sydney on September 11th. They did this process on their own and wanted to share this information.

24 years ago I became dad to Taylor Danielle Pulliam. Taylor was born at 24 weeks weighing 1 lb. 2 oz. I remember the Doctor saying she had a 50/50 chance.

To all you fathers who’ve struggled to embrace your special child’s diagnosis and engage fully in their needs, you are not alone. I share with you my experience.

My name is Brenda, I am married to Jesus and have five children: Yulisa, Jacklyn, Daniel, Yanel and Jesus.

One summer afternoon, we all smiled as my 10-year-old brother Matthew cheerily yelled “Merry Christmas!” to the family sitting at the table next to us as we were leaving a restaurant.

He knows he's adorable, we think so too.