Safeway Stores: I have used this grocery and more store for most of adult life in Oregon and Idaho. Since Billy Ray's adoption, now more than 20 years ago, I have found the managers very accommodating in terms of stocking items I need or ordering special items. For example, the store manager in Molalla, Oregon ordered special ingredients for the magic fiber cookie recipe that is so helpful relative to Billy Ray's constipation problems. He is also assuring we can get the baby oil gel I discussed on Skin Care.
In addition, one of the Safeway Stores worked with our local school district for a community activity. Billy Ray put shopping carts away for several months. There is a picture of Billy Ray learning to put away shopping carts on My Complex Child in Safeway's parking lot. I have been in Safeway Stores in other areas that have disabled box persons. This is an organization that appears very interested in assisting persons with disbilities.
It is my understanding that Safeway is pretty much national in the United States and has some stores in Canada as well.
Children including, but not limited to complex children, require accomodations from time to time. If we have businesses or service agencies who go the extra mile it makes life so much easier.
I have a chapter in my book about creating a community that works for your child and you. I did not include specific resources except to give examples. I thought it more helpful to direct to this site so we can stay up to date on most helpful links.
This page is intended to share with other parents businesses and service providers that have been helpful to us. Obviously I am not traveled enough to know them all. Please email me with your additions to this page and I will add your suggestions too. Please note that resources do not need to be limited to the United States. We have lots of visitors from other countries to. If a resource is helpful to you send it along.
Red Lobster Restaurants: This restaurant has been so helpful to us that I used it as an example in the creating a community chapter of my book. For our budget it is more of a special occasion thing but it enables us to have family special events that wouldn't be possible without the kind of service we get at Red Lobster. As soon as we are seated they bring us their wonderful herb and cheese biscuits that Billy Ray loves. Service is quick and friendly. When we have had a special event I called the manager explaining our situation and they took reservations even though don't routinely take them. You can go to Red Lobster's website and type in your zip to find it you have a location near you. When I called for a directory I learned that except for the New England states you can find locations in most of the USA and some parts of Canada.
This might seem an odd listing for resources to parents of complex children. Many of the feedback forms or e-mail reference a desire to tell your story. I highly recommend Waterside Productions and specifically William Brown as the most helpful agent any first time author could ever hope for.
If you think you have a story that must be told I suggest you click on Waterside and review some of the things you have to prepare for a book proposal. That will give you a glimpse of what you are in for. There are lots of helpful articles on that site as well. Then if you want to e-mail William click.
Laura Leslie was very patient and understanding of my anxiety about getting my picture taken for the jacket of Parenting Your Complex Child. I would have been a total wreck without her patience. Additionally, she fixed the resolution on some visuals that were inadequate for the publisher so that I could teach the concept in the book.
The picture on the left is one of the shots Laura did for my book jacket. There is another one on About Peggy or go to her website (link above) to see more samples of Laura's work.
We plan to have a picture of Billy Ray and Penny Lane (service dog) done very soon. Based on her laid back patience I expect that she will be great with my son and your complex child. I will add more after we have done that sitting with Billy Ray.
Photo by Linden Photography
I find that Staples has more of the items that I need for my documentation system and creating Billy Ray's visuals than other office supply stores I have tried. I also find that their staff is more co-operative at helping you find what you need. They are also online.
