AN INCLUSION REVOLUTION The Effingham County Navigators Give Families of Disabled Persons the Tools to Thrive Story by Cindy Reid
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ore than ten years ago Pauline Shaw was in search of information and resources that could help her special needs daughter, Dakota Roundtree. Driven by a desire to share the valuable information she found with other families, she started a parent-led support group for families and their special needs children, including their siblings. Angela Jackson, also a parent of a special needs daughter, Jadin, was immediately drawn to the idea and together as President and Vice President they have been at the helm of the Effingham County Navigators ever since. The initial program was an immediate success. Continuing today, the support meetings are held monthly and usually feature a speaker, and the group also works as an advocate for their children.
50 December/January 2021 | www.EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.com
“Far from being a sad environment, people need to know that we are definitely upbeat, and we leave our meetings better than when we came in,” says Pauline. “And it’s a wonderful opportunity for our kids to get together and socialize as well.” All are Welcome “We take every disability, and we do use the term disabled because we don’t want to get caught up in verbiage,” says Angela. From ADHD, shaken baby syndrome, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, mobility issues including wheelchairs, autism, and cerebral palsy to Fragile X syndrome, the Navigators advocate for all because although each person’s diagnosis may be different, many of the resources are the same. And as children grow it’s important for families to know what assistance is available.
