Your life is never the same after you become the parent of a child who has a physical disability. This book skillfully shows you how to tackle this new role with enthusiasm and confidence. Real-life stories relate how other families have learned to cope and adapt to the 'new normal.' Just One of the Kids gives straightforward, concrete advice on how to provide loving encouragement for everyone in your family. You too can build a resilient family whose children grow into independent, responsible adults. -- Jill M. Hill, parent of nine children, one of whom has spina bifida, and one of whom has a severe disability The unique perspective shared by families represented in Just One of the Kids reflects our mission to support individuals to live healthy, independent lives. The book will be a valuable resource for our parent support groups and education conferences. -- Toni Shumate, executive director, Chesapeake-Potomac Spina Bifida, Inc This multifaceted, experience-based discussion of the challenges of raising children who have disabilities left me with a strong sense of 'We can do it.' I felt kinship with all the families I read about in this book. -- Jean-Paul Richard, parent of four children, one of whom has a physical disability This is a book you will read, share, and read again. It focuses on the goal of all parents: to raise children who are capable, confident, and ready for adulthood. The authors' suggestions are practical, realistic, and illustrated by a variety of family stories. -- Mary Beth Huber, director of program services, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation

If you have a child with a physical disability, how can you plan your family's life in a way that is inclusive for everyone? What can you do to create a family where every member pulls his or her own weight (in appropriate measure), meets challenges, and has moments in the spotlight along the way? Most parents of a child who has a physical disability want their child to have fun, be responsible, make friends, and take acceptable risks-in short, to feel like "just one of the kids"-and they want to make sure that the needs of the whole family are met, too. Just One of the Kids is designed to help parents focus not on what could have been but instead on what can be, so that they, their children, and the grandparents thrive as individuals and as a family. The advice from psychologists Kay Harris Kriegsman and Sara Palmer is valuable for any family with children who have a physical disability, from any cause. Their warm and encouraging book is full of family stories, tips, and tools. Parents of children with physical disabilities can help them develop the skills needed to meet life's challenges and launch into independence. Parents, building on that foundation and acknowledging each person's contributions, interests, and aspirations, create an inclusive and resilient family.