As a mum of a son with additional needs I was really excited to be accepted onto the Max Card blogging team. My local council don’t currently issue Max cards so I am keen to give the scheme ‘a go’ so that I can promote it with first hand experience of the benefits that it provides.
I’m sure that many parents of children with additional needs will be familiar with the awkward conversations that occasionally occur when other parents enquire about any money or equipment that is given to help make day to day life that little bit easier. So that will be my starting point in this little series of blogs - how can a Max Card really help? Why shouldn’t every family be entitled to one?
The extent can vary, but all parents will agree that children are expensive. The extent will vary, but all parents will agree that raising children requires a rearranging of priorities and for sacrifices to be made. Those are a given. Often, unfortunately having a child with additional needs means additional expense and additional sacrifices on top of the ones that are already there, already faced, battled and defeated by most parents every day. Additional needs bring additions in many shapes and forms. It would of course be lovely if parenting in general could be made cheaper, easier and more flexible! But a very good place to start is by tackling the additional challenges acquired by families of children with special needs, and providing a level playing field wherever possible so that all children get to experience life to the full.
Many family attractions offer discounted entry if you book tickets a long time in advance or go on a certain day. We tend not to be able to make use of these offers as we never know when our son is going to be in pain, unwell, or having a day where his tolerance of being around other people will be lower even lower than normal! This also means that there have been many times where we have arrived for a long anticipated day out and had to leave soon after arriving because his is not up for it. The Max Card means that there are fewer time restrictions on the discounts available to us as a family, and if a day is cut short, less money has gone to waste. Another thing that is becoming more popular are food vouchers or children’s snack/meal deals included in entry fees - both of our children are currently on medically monitored diets, so we are not able to make use of any of the free food and need to purchase their safe food (in advance) in addition, therefore a reduction in ticket price is a welcome advantage.
Time is especially difficult to juggle for families who have children with additional needs, and The Max card removes some of the difficulties involved, promotes the importance of time spent having fun and educational social experiences and recognises that all children need this whether they have additional needs or are the siblings of those with additional needs.
I would definitely encourage families to make use of the Max Card scheme if their local council is part of it, and if not, spread the word to other families within your area and ask your council to consider providing this fantastic opportunity for their local families.
