That number is staggering and also a wake up call.  Most of us know of someone who is caring for a child with special needs and if you don’t personally know of someone, you can be assured that they are in your neighborhood; probably hiding behind closed doors isolated and exhausted. 

Caregivers often project the perception that “everything is okay,” when in fact, it probably is not okay and they would so appreciate having someone reach out and lend a hand.  It is our job as a society to surround these caregivers and support them through the difficult times, because a child is only as healthy as the caregiver, and society is only as healthy as the families within it.