Resources for Teens with Parents with Disabilities

1. "Families after SCI - a Child's View" Linda Lindsey, MEd.
   This article is from the Pushin' On Newsletter, Vol 16[2], Summer, 1998. Published by: The Medical RRTC on Secondary Conditions of SCI, 619 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35249-7330. Several young people whose parents have a spinal cord injury, discuss their reaction to their parent's spinal cord injury and their using a wheelchair.
   www.spinalcord.uab.edu/
   
   
2. Brochure -- When A Parent Has MS: A Teenager's Guide. Diane O'Connell with the Programs staff of the National MS Society explore the experiences of some people whose parents have MS.
   www.nationalmssociety.org/
   
   
3. Teen InsideMS TEENS SPEAK OUT. Online Magazine. For teens to talk with other teens about MS. Letters, stories, poetry, and art. Stories when a family member has MS. Stories when a young person has MS.
   www.nationalmssociety.org/
   
   
4. Brochure -- PLAINTALK: A Booklet About MS for Families
   by Sarah L. Minden, M.D., and Debra Frankel, M.S., O.T.R.
   Explores some of the problems families face and describes ways in which others have handled them.
   www.nationalmssociety.org/
   
   
5. Brochure -- Someone You Know Has MS: A Book for Families
   Adapted by Martha King from original material by Cyrisse Jaffee, Debra Frankel, Barbara LaRoche, and Patricia Dick. Discusses issues relevant to a child's situation when a parent has MS.
   www.nationalmssociety.org/
   
   
6. Keep S'myelin
   Printed children's newsletter found online for kids about MS.
   www.nationalmssociety.org/
   
   
7. InsideMS, Oct.-Dec. 2002, Vol. 20, Issue 4. "Kids to Parents!"
   by Patty Nelson
   Online Magazine article with a group of kids who have parents with MS discussing four things that had been the most important to them when learning their parent had MS.
   www.nationalmssociety.org/
   
   
8. When Mom or Dad has Seizures: A Guide for Young People.
   Booklet -Designed as a companion guide to "Parenting and You," this guide discusses children's feelings about their parents' disorder. It is divided into sections for preschool, elementary, middle, and high school-aged children.
   www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
   
   

Books/Publications for Teens with Parents with Disabilities

1. OUR MOM
   Kay Burns (1989).
   Describes how one individual leads an active life as a regular mother with paralysis of the legs that requires her to use a wheelchair.
   
   
2. When Mom Gets Sick
   Written and illustrated by a 9-year old, this is a compelling story based on the experiences of a sensitive and insightful young girl who makes the best from what could be a devastating situation. (27 pp.)
   Under revision - Expected avaliabilty 3/07. www.lupus.org/
   
   
3. Happy Ever Afters - a storybook guide to teaching children about disability Kathy Saunders
   Offers an accessible and adaptable method for teaching all children about disability in society. web.ukonline.co.uk/happyeverafters/
   
   
4. Speedway Sam: A book about spinal injury for children Nancy Glover
   Birmingham, AL: University of Alabama at Birmingham (1990)
   Grades 3-6
   
   
   
5. Special Parents, Special Children Joanne E. Bernstein and Bryna J. Fireside (1992)
   This book is geared toward 9 to 12-year-old kids. The photos are a bit old, and some of the attitudes a bit outdated, but overall, not too bad.
   www.amazon.com/
   
   
6. Coping When a Parent Has Multiple Sclerosis
   Barbara Cristall (1992)
   Explains to young people how living with a parent who has multiple sclerosis will affect their lives. The author combines practical advice for daily living and offers suggestions of where to go for more help.
   
   
7. Coping WHEN A PARENT HAS AIDS
   Barbara Hermie Draimin, D.S.W (1994)
   Dispels rumors and myths about the virus and disease and attempts to prepare readers for the changes and problems they will face during and after a parent's illness.
   
   
8. A Booklet for Young People about Mental Illness
   C. Stevenson & G. Ferrari (1994). From Australia.
   This booklet has been written for young people from 13-16 years old, who care about someone with mental illness.
   mentalhealth.asn.au/
   
   
9. Is Dad Crazy?
   Jan Liddicut (1989)
   An explanation of schizophrenia for pre-adolescent children.
   
   
10. You're not alone: A SANE Guide to mental illness for children
    SANE Australia (2003)
    A cartoon-based guide to mental illness, especially for 6-12-year-olds.
    www.sane.org/
    
    
11. SANE Guide to Bipolar Disorder
    SANE Australia
    An easy-to-read booklet for people with bipolar disorder, family and friends.
    www.sane.org/
    
    
12. SANE Guide to Schizophrenia
    SANE Australia
    An easy-to-read guide for people with schizophrenia, family and friends.
    www.sane.org/
    
    
13. SANE Guide to Psychosis
    SANE Australia
    An easy-to-read booklet for people with psychosis, family and friends.
    www.sane.org/
    
    
14. Joe's Diary : A SANE Guide for Young People
    SANE Australia
    A SANE Guide specially written for teenagers who have a family member with a mental illness.
    www.sane.org/
    
    
15. Handle with Care
    L. Kaszanski & G. Ferrari
    A workbook about mental illness for 8-12 year olds.
    

General Links for Teens

1. Blue Jean Online
   A magazine written for and by young women from around the world.
   www.bluejeanonline.com/
   
   
2. iwannaknow
   Answers to questions about teen sexual health & STDs.
   www.iwannaknow.org/
   
   
3. SEX, ETC.
   Award-winning national newsletter and Web site that is written by teens, for teens, on teen sexual health issues.
   www.sxetc.org/