So You Don’t Have to Journey Alone

Dictionary.com defines Journey as “traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time.” Parents and caregivers of medically fragile children experience their own type of journey. The journey all too often is long, trying and can be terribly lonely. 

JourneyFEST, a 501 (c) (3) organization was established in 2013 so that Special Need families don’t have to journey alone. Co-founder Emily Minich states that “Journey Fest is a place for families to get answers, vent, and talk about their own journey without any judgement being placed on them.” JourneyFEST at its core is a community for Special Needs Families. The FEST in JourneyFEST stands for Friendship, Encouragement and Support Together, and that’s just what this group does. These members communicate and share their journeys on their private Facebook page with members posting daily. They encourage, laugh and cry together. They share recommendations for doctors, therapy companies, nursing agencies, supply companies, and even share information on navigating through the insurance world.  

But maybe the most important trait of JourneyFEST is that they listen, they are a sounding board, they care and they love as a community. Members of JourneyFEST stretch across the United States, but there is a strong presence in the DFW area.  JourneyFEST hosts fun events for their families such as Park Days, trips to the Arboretum, Pool Parties and more.  Part of the JourneyFEST’s Mission is “to inspire families of children with special needs to know that there is hope in every situation.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from JourneyFEST and are interested in learning more please visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JourneyFESTorg/ or online at http://www.journeyfest.org/home.html.