S.T.A.R.S is a group of parents who have children with different impairments and was created to give support to each other in all aspects that disability may bring. The group was set up in March of 2010 and now legally registered as a Voluntary Organisation. Since it started we have taken the initiative to organise events which bring more awareness in our society for inclusion, and also serves to highlight our children’s abilities rather than focusing on their disabilities.

Through our facebook page it became apparent just how common the situations we meet on a daily basis are, such as fear, gratitude, disappointments, achievements, hopes etc. As parents, just like any other parents, we only wish the best quality of life for our children and nothing less. By the time we organised our first group meeting we realised that although we have accepted the fact that our lives might be challenging we still can live a ‘normal’ life, if only society in general can be encouraged to think differently. This gave us the strength and courage to work hard to raise an awareness campaign and also to put forward suggestions to the highest Authorities in our country.

Our next step was to launch this website which offers any type of support to parents who find themselves in similar situations and serves as a starting point for couples who find themselves faced with unanswered questions and who may require some initial direction. Browsing this site one will find various information regarding several types of disability issues relating to health, therapies such as ‘play therapy’, physio therapy, speech therapy and general information regarding specialised equipment. All these articles were provided to us with thanks, by Professionals who genuinely contributed and believed in our Group. It also includes the frequent events we organise between us families which so far all previous events have been such a success.

Finally on a positive note from all present members of S.T.A.R.S…

We believe: “God doesn’t give children with disabilities to strong people: He gives them to ordinary, everyday people, then He helps the parents to grow stronger through the journey. Raising a child with special needs doesn’t TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family.”

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