Visualize eternity: laundry and the paperwork for one with special needs!
The nearly 6” of paperwork in a huge binder traveled with me to most every meeting where our son’s special needs were discussed. Why? Because I wanted every person around the table to recognize and realize that I:
Meant business
Had my child’s best interest at hand
Had everything documented
Would have whatever they needed or questioned
Was “in charge” of matters.
Photo credit: Wesley Tingey on Unsplash.com.
It is important to keep hard copies of all your records including:
Meetings
Doctors appointments
Family discussions that are appropriate to the child’s care
Therapies
Social Security info
Paid bills
Insurance
Birth records
OTHER: (you list things important for your specific situation).
I know a lot of people have all of this on their computers, and that is great; however, if you can’t “locate” the document or information quickly, you might find it better to have the hard copies at your fingertips. Furthermore; coming into a meeting or appointment prepared often helped me out. People knew I knew what I was talking about and that I kept meticulous records. The mere size of the binder was a bit intimidating (and yes you must purge it from time to time!) but it carried all the pertinent info I needed to “get the job done.” When asked a question, I knew where to go for what was needed. When I could recite (because I kept good notes on phone calls and appointments) who I spoke to and on what date and what time, they knew this meeting, too, would be recorded in this book.
I was always respectful of people’s time and reason for being at whatever the meeting we attended, and I wanted them to know that—but also I wanted them to know I was fully prepared. I often had people make comments on the size of the binder and I would say, “Whatever I can do to make your job and mine easier, I’ll do. This helps.” I feel like I gained their approval, we didn’t waste anyone’s time, and we were able to get what my child needed without being upset or angry - because the “facts” were all right there.
Have notebook; will travel!
Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini share their newest book: Love All-Ways: Embracing Marriage Together on the Special Needs Journey (order at www.cindiferrini.com). They are authors, speakers, and bloggers for several blogging sites on marriage, family and special needs. They speak nationally for FamilyLife Weekend To Remember Marriage Get-a-Ways, authored *Unexpected Journey – When Special Needs Change our Course, and have been interviewed on Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Janet Parshall at “In the Market”, Chris Brooks of “Equipped” and various other radio and television venues. Connect with them at:
www.cindiferrini.com and via social media at: www.facebook.com/cindi.ferrini, www.facebook.com/UnexpectedJourney/and www.facebook.com/MyMarriageMatters/.
