Our latest zoom forum was kindly hosted by Dr Joanna Griffin on Emotional Wellbeing in Parents of Disabled Children

Notes: Parent Carer Wellbeing – Notes for Zoom Forum – November 2021

Presentation: Emotional wellbeing in parents of disabled children

Dr Joanna Griffin is a parent carer (her son is 14 and has cerebral palsy, learning disability and autism) and Counselling Psychologist who has been researching emotional wellbeing in parents of disabled children.

Parenting a disabled child can elicit complex emotional responses.  For many parents, the focus of those around them is solely on the child and their own needs become neglected.  In her new book Day by Day, she focuses on the wellbeing of parent carers.

The author’s personal experience informs this book which explores what helps, and hinders, parent carers’ wellbeing.  The book is available from Amazon .

Joanna also established the website www.affinityhub.uk which signposts to emotional support for parents of disabled children, including organisations and private counsellors. It outlines common emotions and wellbeing tips as well as quotes from parent carers on the impact of parenting and advice to others.  Hearing from other parent carers can help us realise that we are not alone.