tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post217629813166813991..comments2024-02-25T10:24:30.868-05:00Comments on Special needs disability parenting BLOOM: A lesson in loveBLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-43101217982225660032013-12-12T18:13:10.833-05:002013-12-12T18:13:10.833-05:00It was very interesting to read about the communit...It was very interesting to read about the community supports you were able to find for Matthew and about how you felt about the challenges of sharing his care with others. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-48513848024997291182013-12-07T13:23:26.035-05:002013-12-07T13:23:26.035-05:00Thank you so much to all the thoughtful people who...Thank you so much to all the thoughtful people who have posted comments about Finding Matthew and the post to Bloom magazine. To quote a cliché - it takes a village - even more than a village to love and support people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. Matthew's life would never been as rich, and as full, without all the love and support he received.Donna Kirkhttp://www.donnakirk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-53662106652525170632013-12-04T22:01:23.691-05:002013-12-04T22:01:23.691-05:00You have a remarkable family, Donna. You are incr...You have a remarkable family, Donna. You are incredibly inspirational in life...a wonderful role model, mother, friend, human being.Evenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-30866261782046165482013-12-03T12:12:12.353-05:002013-12-03T12:12:12.353-05:00I have just finished reading Finding Mathew. You ...I have just finished reading Finding Mathew. You are so talented and a gifted writer. Mathew’s life story has been shared so lovingly. I experienced so many emotions while reading … right from the first few pages I was amazed and pulled into your lives. I experienced the fear, anxiety, sadness …. And most of all the LOVE.<br />I am so amazed by the people who joined your family to support all of you … such kindness and good in the world … I admire and am encouraged by you and your families strength and determination through all the difficult and challenging times. <br />Thank-you for writing the book and publishing it …. I feel privileged to have seen inside your home and hearts, to have met Mathew via your story and to be reminded about the good people in the world who love and support one another.<br />With love and hugs…JanineJanine Rosartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-67669371587405826282013-11-28T08:54:01.239-05:002013-11-28T08:54:01.239-05:00Matthew was a gift to you and your husband Donna. ...Matthew was a gift to you and your husband Donna. It allowed you to discover your spirit which will stay as your strength forever. And you and your husband were his gifts. How often we search for meaning in our lives but your meaning in life was defined by his birth. Many of us lead meaningless lives.<br />Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14101113687597123630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-43519619822492728932013-11-27T22:17:07.087-05:002013-11-27T22:17:07.087-05:00Thank you, Donna, for such a touching story. It wa...Thank you, Donna, for such a touching story. It was so refreshing to hear you stand up for Matthew in the grocery store (hilarious) and to Doctor Doom. Good for you for reminding him that maybe he could do things differently with families in the future. Your son sounds like he brought so much joy to you and your family and it is very sad that he is gone. People most need love and relationship to thrive and you and his caregivers gave him just that -- thus why he did thrive. Congratulations for being on the right side and trusting your intuition to give your son a great life, and thank you even more for sharing it with all of us. Lucas' Momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-88571830903249328302013-11-27T18:10:31.043-05:002013-11-27T18:10:31.043-05:00Great story Donna! You have captured highlights o...Great story Donna! You have captured highlights of your family's amazing journey beautifully! Matthew's story is one that has made me smile, cry and laugh out loud. By having the courage to keep your challenges and love for your son alive, I know you inspire and comfort many others out there who find the same road blocks so distressing to navigate. Hugs xMaelstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07573213215275706201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-14555272209489812862013-11-27T15:45:46.156-05:002013-11-27T15:45:46.156-05:00That's the most amazing story I have ever hear...That's the most amazing story I have ever heard. Well done, everyone involved in such a brave life. I hope for such community residence support programs to become more widespread. Liz the PTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-11732139000187629262013-11-27T14:52:53.940-05:002013-11-27T14:52:53.940-05:00Your story of Matthew's life and you the love ...Your story of Matthew's life and you the love and support he had brings me joy and tears all at the same time. He was so lucky to have you as parents, who never stopped fighting for his equality and care. <br /><br />Amazing work Donna!<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01358842299649155063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-11979667303024953292013-11-27T12:55:14.429-05:002013-11-27T12:55:14.429-05:00I had the pleasure of working with Donna Kirk for ...I had the pleasure of working with Donna Kirk for a few years, and thru Donna, I came to know Matt. He was a delightful young man, with a wicked twinkle in his eye. Ed and Donna loved him dearly, and did everything they could, to make his life enjoyable, and to keep him safe. Matt also had a sister and a brother, with whom to share his life. He was quite a guy and I feel blessed to have known him.<br /><br />Nancy Campbell Nov. 27, 2013.<br />Nancy Campbellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-89100331129389767642013-11-27T09:55:48.340-05:002013-11-27T09:55:48.340-05:00Your story once again highlights the strong and en...Your story once again highlights the strong and enduring spirits of our "special" sons & daughters. If we could only convince society to support them in a positive and meaningful way our world would be a better place!<br />Kudos to all of the parents and support staff who seek out and nurture the strengths of our children (even, and perhaps more importantly, after they become adults).<br /><br />Linda RLinda Russellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-59095212562022573452013-11-27T08:47:53.328-05:002013-11-27T08:47:53.328-05:00I live in Ontario Canada. There were two option fo...I live in Ontario Canada. There were two option for Homeshare with Matthew's agency in 1995. In the first, the agency either owned the home or rented it. In Matthew's case, my husband and I bought the home. The agency screened people rigorously when searching for homeshare families or individuals. I know some homeshare programs still exist at Matthew's agency, but I don't know if they are opening new ones.www.donnakirk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-25469951684004868122013-11-26T21:10:30.900-05:002013-11-26T21:10:30.900-05:00Like bloggingastrid, I was very interested to hear...Like bloggingastrid, I was very interested to hear about the Homeshare program and the impact of the relationships Matthew developed with Marguerite and Beverley. Is this program still active? Is it challenging to find host homes? It sounds like it was something you only found out about when Matthew was in crisis, so I'm assuming the program is difficult to access. I would love to hear more about this.<br /><br />Thanks everyone for your comments and welcome.<br /><br />bloggingastrid, what part of the world are you from?<br /><br />BLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-77373551717161410682013-11-26T17:45:08.815-05:002013-11-26T17:45:08.815-05:00Whenever I read you story I am heart broken and jo...Whenever I read you story I am heart broken and joyous at the same time. Your family's love for Matthew shines through and does brighten my day.<br />Bob Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-41802849637225750602013-11-26T17:06:11.089-05:002013-11-26T17:06:11.089-05:00`Your story is touching. I'm so glad Matthe ha...`Your story is touching. I'm so glad Matthe had a good life while being supported by Marguerite and Beverley. Knowing first-hand what it is like to live in an institution, I wish services like Homeshare were available here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-76667334659488211592013-11-26T15:15:30.758-05:002013-11-26T15:15:30.758-05:00Your story and your life with Matthew are an inspi...Your story and your life with Matthew are an inspiration to all who learn about your family.<br />You were able to advocate for him and to provide him with the best life possible.<br />Congratulations and thank you! JCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com