(If you missed Day 1, here you go!)

Once again I’m pretty tired. Another long day of learning. Today we started learning how to put together a program for our children. The program includes oxygen, nutrition, and then whatever components our particular child is lacking–sensory, mobility, emotional/social.

I will write a lot more later, but today I want to give a shout out to the staff at the Hilton Garden Inn Valley Forge. The Family Hope Center chose a great location for its seminar. I have yet to meet an unfriendly or unhelpful staff member. They have all been excellent, and I have even watched them take extra time to interact with some of the special needs kids that are here. Kudos!

Also, the Family Hope Center staff has been very helpful and friendly. They walk around seeing if anyone has any questions and have taken their lunch time to do “working lunches” with us and lead group discussions/answer questions. They are determined to send us home armed with knowledge and a map of a program we can use with our children. Tonight I had a chance to eat dinner with some of them afterward and get to know them as well as pick their brains a bit. I really enjoyed getting to know them a bit on a personal level as opposed to just part of the seminar. Thanks for spending time with me!

And now, I must sign off. Another full day tomorrow! My gfree friends from the 2:1 Conference will appreciate this picture. At each of the breaks there are lots of berries, nuts, and some other fruits for us to snack on to keep our brains energized. Notice there is no pineapple or cantaloupe. :)

Wondering what this Family Hope Center seminar is? Click here to find my other posts about it!

Today’s post will be short. I have lots to do before I head to Pennsylvania for Family Hope Center’s special needs seminar. I’m really looking forward to connecting with other special needs parents and learning from the Newells and their staff!

I told you in my last #FHC review post that I would tell you about FHC’s positive approach. Here we go!

Here’s what I love so far about the Thriving Child Program and the Newell’s philosophy:

• “Many times parents feel like they’re in the back seat of their child’s needs, or even not in the car. We want to put you in the driver’s seat.”
• No guilt implied or intended as Matthew and Carol Newell explain the parts of the brain and what could have caused problems. “It’s not your fault.” They just want to help you help your child progress.
• “We chart ability, not disability.”
• “No child is hopeless.”

With quotes like that, you can see the positive attitude that flows from the Newells. That rubs off! In the often discouraging and uncertain world of special needs, this difference is much appreciated.

Again, I welcome you to follow #FHCReview on Twitter and Instagram. I’ve been sharing thoughts and quotes as I go through the program. Leave a comment and let me know what you’d like me to be watching for this week during the seminar!