Providing relief and support to help children with devastating medically complex, neurological conditions and their families in the St. Louis area and beyond.

Here’s what we’ve been up to…

On the Blog
Spotlight: “Society is only as healthy as its caregivers”
–Jess Ronne, parent caregiver featured in Unseen: How We’re Failing Caregivers & Why It Matters!
On July 30th more than 100 JJMF supporters and friends, parents and caregivers, medical and mental healthcare professionals, and advocates alike—all gathered for a private screening of Unseen: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers & Why It Matters! Unseen is an incredibly powerful documentary film that offers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the lives of parents caring for children and adults with disabilities or complex medical needs. Following the film, attendees participated in a collaborative panel discussion—opening up a dialogue about the day-to-day realities our families face in caring for their child(s) with complex medical needs—and what supports are needed. Learn more about our private screening, as well as the panel discussion by reading this month’s blog post.

Impact
2023 Impact Report
We’re proud to announce the release of our 2023 Impact Report! Flip through the digital version on our website to read about the supportive programs, community reach, and fundraising success of last year. Whether you’re a member of our courageous caregiver community, valued donor, or champion of our programs—we’re incredibly grateful for the important part you play in advancing our mission—and look forward to your continued support.

Meet Faith
Last month we introduced you to 14-year old Faith and her incredible mom Bridget. Faith is a social butterfly who loves interacting with others and enjoys engaging in activities like swimming and ice skating with her parents and family members. Bridget shared her gratitude for JJMF’s financial assistance program—through which she obtained a grant to help with the cost of respite nursing—an essential resource to support the health and well-being of Faith and her family. Read what Bridget had to say here.

Building Awareness
Disability Pride Month
In honor of Disability Pride Month, we celebrated resilience, inclusion and the contributions of the disabled community—and took a moment to acknowledge what changes still need to be made. A major challenge for many people living with disabilities is accessibility, so we shared a few ways to make your space more accessible—whether it’s your home, business or locations in your community.

Bereaved Parents Awareness Month
In honor of Bereaved Parents Awareness Month, we extended our love to those who have lost a child too soon and once again shared this beautifully vulnerable blog post written by June’s mom, Genny, in 2019. 

Bookmarked
The Other Side of Special: Navigating the Messy, Emotional, Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom by Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime, and Carrie M. Holt
“Combining the unique experiences of three different authors (Brown, Clime & Holt), The Other Side of Special does a wonderful job of validating the common emotions that disability parents experience, along with ways to navigate those feelings in a productive and positive way. I identified with seeking the balance of finding both joy and sorrow in the journey and have already recommended the book to family and friends.”
–Karlita Blackwell, JJMF Community Engagement Manager

Community Support
Virtual Support Group for JJMF Parents and Caregivers
It’s no secret that being the parent or caregiver to a medically complex child can be extremely isolating, as most are unable to relate to the experiences and challenges associated with it. This is part of the impetus behind our new monthly Virtual Support Group led by JJMF Community Engagement Manager, Karlita Blackwell, M.A. Community Counseling. Our goal is to create a safe space for parents and caregivers to connect with one another, share resources, and take a much-needed break. The first meeting will take place August 27 and will be focused around a discussion of the documentary Unseen. Please feel free to sign up or share this opportunity with parents and caregivers of medically complex children.