Families Creating a Vision and Building Inclusive Lives for
Their Children Brissa and Nick Los Angeles, CA All parents have
dreams their children will grow up and determine for themselves
how to live good lives and contribute to their communities.
Brissa’s and Nick’s parents did not want their dreams to be
dimmed by a diagnosis of a disability. Both Brissa’s and Nick’s
parents emphasized their children’s strengths and assets, not
deficits, in order to create visions of full futures with their
own children directing their own lives with support from family,
friends and community members. These families realized that
leading their children to more independent meaningful lives
meant creating connections with their communities and overcoming
“protective” reactions. It meant listening to Brissa and Nick,
helping them make and honoring their choices and encouraging
them to express ideas about what they want in their futures.
And, as important, it lead to cultivating social and community
relationships that opened do