Comments about the CFPC
"Welcome to Holland" Presentation

 

Here is just a sampling of some of the cool comments we've received from
people who have enjoyed our online presentation of "Welcome to Holland."

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I have heard this description many times before, but it is beautiful to see it set to video.
Thanks for your hard work.

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Very well organized, and entertaining enough to keep you interested.
Valuable resource for parents.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I appreciate the fact that more than one disability was represented.
My son is dual diagnosed with autism and cerebral palsy.
A majority of disability related material usually focuses on one or the other; not both.

From:  a professional in the disability field
Nice analogy. Thank you

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
This presentation just says it all and is put together so beautifully.
Thank you for the opportunity to view it.

 

From:  a professional in the disability field
Great Job - Delightful presentation that delivered an important message.

From:  a professional in the disability field
Absolutely and totally wonderful! I will forward it to the parents of the
children with special needs that I teach. Thank you :)

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I have a 22-year-old with Down Syndrome.  I'm glad for the trip to Holland and consider
my son a gift from heaven.  He has taught me many lessons of patience, maturity, and
spirituality.  He is my forever friend and a blessing. 
I can't imagine my life without this happy soul at my side.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I really could not have put it any better, it was just as if
my heart was speaking thru her words.

From:  (unidentified)
Thank you for the reminder to stop and enjoy life no matter how
difficult it seems at the moment!!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Matthew is my fifth child so, yes, all new parenting skills were required but,
I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD IT ANY OTHER WAY!
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE MATT HAS BEEN.
He is now a "freshman" in a program designed for the cognitively challenged at the
College of New Jersey - who would have thunk!!!! He is my ray of sunshine.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
What a beautiful presentation. It brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat.
I am the Mother of a beautiful little girl with Down Syndrome.

 

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
We have a 7 year old grand daughter who has been diagnosed with severe apraxia, hypotonia, hyperflexion, and balance problems, who is making good progress.
We have all worked our way through these feelings at different times and our daughter
has coped well but we still get a little frustrated when we know her ability is being stifled
by her physical problems. Thank you for the great presentation.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Thank you - I think it gives parents of children with disabilities a way to connect.
I'd be interested to know if it has any meaning let alone the same meaning to parents
who do not have children with disabilities. This was an excellent example of putting
into words a life altering event that has significant value for others in the same
circumstance. There is a sense of relief having my feelings and worries validated
by another more experienced than I.

 

 

From:  (unidentified)
Riveting that this subject could be presented in such a way to truly express the
feelings of parents, friends and family of disabled persons!!!! It reminds us that
God's blessings are everywhere!

 

 

From:  a professional in the disability field
I think it sends a wonderful message of hope to new parents whose child has a disability,
and it must make them feel less alone. It's a very touching presentation that sent tears streaming down my face...and I'm a speech-language pathologist, not a parent of a
special needs child. Well done!

 

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I have shared this with others. Thank you.

 

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
The raw emotions it stirred up reminds me just how emotional this journey of raising a
child with disabilities is... always. I do a good job of handling the day to day
responsibilities and advocacy work, and that requires pushing the emotions aside.
I was surprised how strongly I reacted. The part about grieving is so true,
yet never discussed. "Holland" is better than "nowhere"!

 

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I too ended up in Holland with a very special child that works harder at achieving everyday learning and movement than the average child, he was diagnosed with severe CAS, Childhood Apraxia of Speech and developmental coordination disorder, along with that goes slow processing, reading and writing disorder, and math disorder. While that was a shock how severe his CAS affected his life, we are now enjoying seeing his progress and dedication to any project that he is assigned to do. Yes, Andy, my 10 year old son is an amazing child.

I had read the words that Emily had written before, it was powerful to see pictures along with it. Thank you for caring about our children.

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability who is also
a professional in the disability field
a very nice way to look at the situation. Life may not give us what we expected and
planned for, and our society makes us feel that there is only one way to live a
valuable, successful life. We must reject that vision - it is not true and not necessary.
We must learn to put aside stereotypes and preconceptions and enjoy the life we are given.

 

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Thank you for reminding us of how beautiful "Holland" really is!

 

 

From:  (unidentified)
Very Touching!! Lots of meaning behind it!!

 

 

From:  a professional in the disability field
I've read this story many, many times and shared it with families. But your presentation magnifies the impact dramatically. I'm crying fresh tears of gratitude for the work for which
God has led me into and given me a passion. I am so thankful for Holland! Thank you!

 

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I had read this but never saw it in a video.  Excuse me while I go hug my son (who has DS).

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I always love to read this poem when I come across it.  My daughter is 15 with downs and I truly changed our life and the way we look at it.  Thank you for this wonderful presentation. 
I am forwarding this to friends and family.

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
Going to Holland was the best trip of my life.

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
This is one of my favorite poems. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.
Great job, and thank you!

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I'm a parent of a 16 month down syndrome beautiful baby boy and since I'm still learning about all this I just love inspirational things like this. I absolutely love this and I love forwarding emails like this to all my friends and family so that they can learn right along with me. I love to share the fact that special needs children and adults are just like you and me! I've had a hard time dealing with the ignorance and or shall I say the lack of awareness. Thank you for sharing!!!!

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
It made me cry, tears of joy and sadness too. Thank you!!!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I've been distributing Welcome to Holland to my listserv for the past nine years. This presentation absolutely blows me away. I sat here watching with tears streaming down my face. I have always felt a special connection with Emily Perl Kingsley, as her son attended the same school as mine, several years prior, in New City, NY. The staff there shared "Welcome to Holland" with me, not long after my son's autism diagnosis, and it eased my pain considerably.
 

From:  a professional in the disability field
very touching and very insightful.


From:  a professional in the disability field
I first saw this poem many years ago and bring it out around ESE Week every year to share with my coworkers. I plan to forward this presentation to the teachers at my middle school as well as to the membership of our local CEC chapter during ESE week in October. It really puts "a face" to the words. Thank you for your heartfelt words and beautiful powerpoint.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
sell copies to parents, this would be the 1st thing I would do at a IEP meeting , I would show this at schools, to friends and family, because it truly explains so so much, more than any one person could convey.

From:  (unidentified)
A beautiful presentation that all parents of children with different abilities and needs can truly relate and appreciate!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Great job guys. This is truly beautiful!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
This presentation explained thoughts I have not been able to put into words perfectly. While having children with special needs was not what I had planned, I would have missed knowing so many incredible people if I had not.

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability who is also
a professional in the disability field
I will send this link to work where i will share it with my staff at our next development day.
thank you for making such a moving and touching presentation.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Each time, i read this poem it brings tears to my eyes. In the beginning there was sadness to my tears but now more than ever i feel that the tears are more of joy for it has strengthened our love for our son and his achievements. You really appreciate life and realize that there was so much you take for granted...

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I have read this several times before and every time I read it is amazing, the emotions one feels as a special need parent.

From:  a professional in the disability field
Every person throughout the world needs to see this presentation!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability who is also
a professional in the disability field
This poem has always (23years), my son has Down syndrome, been important and expressive for me.  I can't wait to show it to my class of Master students of
Speech and Language Pathology!

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
I feel like for me it was "WHOOO HOOO HOLLAND" lol

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
It has been 12 years since I read that poem and I did not cry quite as hard this time,
but I still cry and I love Holland. I have been to Italy too.

From:  a grandmother of an individual with a disability
I am the grandmother of a 13 year old "undiagnosed" special needs boy. He has profoundly changed our lives for the better. I thank God for things that he IS able to do. Words cannot express the joy that he has brought into our lives and the lives of others. The presentation I just watched is awesome and I could completely relate to it. By the way, I was born in Holland and it is a beautiful country, just like these children.

 

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Describes the experience beautifully.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
You hit the nail on the head. It brought tears to my eyes this is so true on how i feel.  Thanks

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Wow! I'm happy and in tears all at once! I hope to use this at our staff meeting next week .... what an inspiration!

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
it let's you know that you are not alone,and when you look at this film,it let you know what a wonderful gift god has blessed you with!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Thank you "Jasons mom" it was beautiful!!!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
very accurately describes the feelings of a parent with a special needs child.

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
I read this poem for the first time when friends of ours had grandchildren born with Down Syndrome five years ago. Then, two years ago, we were blessed with our own Down Syndrome granddaughter, and we have been enjoying Holland since.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Thank you for your work. I have a baby with Down Syndrome, and I am
enjoying Holland, usually.

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
Just Wonderful.  Thank you

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
Presentations like this mean so much to parents and families of disabled children and as they grow to adults. They need more uplifting, funny and sensitive articles of these wonderful people. More please!! Our grandson who has Down's Syndrome is the best kid,
we wouldn't trade him for anyone.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
so beautiful and true. i cried through the whole thing and i will share it

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
My baby is 11 months old, and most of the time we're fully present in Holland -- enjoying each other and embracing the journey that is Down Syndrome. But this presentation brings up a lot of feelings that I don't release very often. It reduced me to heaving sobs, late at night after I put him to bed. Maybe it's good to grieve. Maybe I need to cry once in a while. Then again, maybe that just picks at the scab and I'm better off putting one foot in front of the other and going where each new day takes us without reflecting too much. I'm not quite sure yet. I can tell you that everything is easier when he's in my arms and I can look in his eyes and know that he's perfect as he is, and all of this was meant to be. That's why I, for one, am really glad I didn't know ahead of time that he would have DS. With my baby in front of me, he's Dylan first and the diagnosis is a distant second. Spending six months researching a "condition" without my little guy to put it in perspective and keep me grounded would have been torture. This was a difficult presentation for me to watch at this time in my life, but that's because it was beautiful and powerful and moving. Thank you for all that you do.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I have few words to say! It made me sad and happy!  Sad that more people don't get it, and happy that I am blessed with 3 specially abled kids of my 5. 
Thanks! I'd take Holland over Italy any day!!!


From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
SO VERY BEAUTIFUL AND TOUCHING. THANK YOU.

From:  a professional in the disability field
It was beautiful! Thank you for putting it together. I will be forwarding this the all the families I work with. I will also be calling you about working with you.  I also plan on emailing it to my sister-in-law who really is from Holland.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability

(chose: "I loved it! The best online presentation I've seen lately!"
- and - "Wow! The presentation was profoundly meaningful to me!")
i am pregnant with a baby boy with down's i'm due dec 23

 

From:  a professional in the disability field
Every guidance counselor, chidren's hospital social service, or social service agency should have this on hand for a parents who are SUFFEREING with the disappoint
of not getting to Italy. I LOVED IT, LOVED, LOVED IT!

From:  a professional in the disability field
It's a beautiful message. Thank you!

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
what a great interpretation.

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
My sister inspires me everyday of my live. She is the mother of three children-one is autistic. She truly is a gift from heaven above. I hope one day I have the patience and ability
to do what she does everyday, just one day, with my own children.
I love her and she will always be my hero.


From:  (unidentified)
It's quite a journey that I could never have imagined and it's amazing and
beautiful here in Holland.

From:  a professional in the disability field
I have read "Welcome to Holland" at least four or five times in my career, and it always touches me. However, this presentation is so powerful that it will have an impact on all who view it, not just those who are special educators or parents. Thank you!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
will be a very profound presentation for new parents and families. thank you for your efforts - great job!

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I am the parent of a 10 year old boy with Down Syndrome.  It expresses exactly what
I have felt through the years.  Now I can see Holland for all its beauty and love.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
You forgot to tell us to get kleenex before showing this, I loved it, but cried too.. Thanks

From:  a professional in the disability field
It was truly beautiful and profound. Thank you for sharing....

From:  a professional in the disability field
I am sending this on to someone that has a disabled child.


From:  a parent (not of an individual with a disability)
Our children are not disabled, but your presentation was absolutely wonderful,
and still very meaningful to me as a parent. Thank YOU!

From:  a family member of an individual with a disability who is also
a professional in the disability field
I will share this with faculty and family. It was beautiful.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I am a mother of a child who has C.P. and Epilepsy -- this was such a beautiful presentation and so very, very true. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT, it did make me cry and smile too!

From:  a professional in the disability field
this was great.... Glad that I watched it alone as it had me crying but very good


From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I have read this essay before....if I had not this would have knocked my socks off....
I cried watching it...I cry everytime I read it....


From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
[Our son] is now 27. I read that poem when he was a baby, and have reread it
countless times since. Other than the first time I read it, I can't remember a time when
it has had such an impact. You have produced a FABULOUS, BEAUTIFUL piece. Congratulations on your efforts. You will touch millions.  Thank you.


From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
I THINK IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION THANK YOU


From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Nice work! Thank you for spending the time to put this together.
It definitely rings true as a great analogy.

From:  a parent of an individual with a disability
Great presentation! An added special touch to Welcome to Holland - gave
additional insight to the writing


From:  a professional in the disability field
I plan to use it as an introduction to the Children with Special Needs unit
in Teacher Education. Thanks.


From:  a family member of an individual with a disability
I have a cousin with Downs Syndrome and this was very touching. But more important, I recently took permanent custody of my nephew who has Cystic Fibrosis. At a time in my life when I was looking forward to retirement but instead my great husband and I chose to
take this young teenager in and he has rewarded us a thousand times more than
any trip we could ever have taken. Thank you for reminding me of that.

 

 

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