Are you the parent or caregiver of a child or adult with a disability? If so, our disability consulting services can provide the support for caregivers that you need, including transition services for disabilities.
Many parents, at some point in their lives, will be faced with the news that their child has a physical, sensory, or mental disability. These parents are left with many uncertainties and questions about what to do next. At Future Destinations, I offer comprehensive disability consulting services that provide information on the various support for caregivers and services available for your loved one, depending on his or her unique needs. I can walk with you through your journey from birth to preschool, school service, after-school needs, and transition services for disabilities after high school. Whatever your needs or questions may be, I can provide or find the answers.
Jeremiah 29:11, often referred to as Ben's Verse, resonates deeply with our mission: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This scripture has been a guiding light for our disability consulting services, especially in providing support for caregivers and facilitating transition services for disabilities. The logo for this service was designed by my youngest son, Reece, inspired by a Precious Moments figurine I obtained when he was very young. This figurine, titled "Give Ability a Chance," reminded me of Ben and filled me with hope. The meaningful connection we have with Jeremiah 29:11 is what inspired the name of our service venture.
My name is Cheri Foster. I am a graduate of Morehead State University, the University of Louisville, and completed my Rank 1 at Eastern Kentucky University. I hold teaching certifications in elementary education (K-5), special education (K-12), and hearing impairment (K-12). For the past twenty-five years, I have been a high school special education teacher, specializing in Assistive Technology and transition services for disabilities for approximately 20 years. I have worked with students in all ability groups and have greatly enjoyed providing disability consulting services, particularly helping students with disabilities transition from high school to post-secondary education, training, and life. This is a particularly challenging time for young adults and their parents, and I strive to offer support for caregivers to make this transition as easy as possible.
I have been married to my husband Russ, who is a teacher and a pastor, for 37 years. We have three adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. My middle son, Ben, was born 32 years ago. At birth, everything seemed fine. We began to notice changes at two weeks of age, and then he began missing developmental milestones. He was diagnosed with developmental delays at 6 months and later with a rare neurological disorder. As parents, we were swept up in the mirage of doctor visits, therapy evaluations, and the special care needed. I remember feeling overwhelmed with the abundance of medical information being thrown at us and the lack of support for caregivers available at that time. There were a few services available, however, no one informed us about them. Now, there are a number of disability consulting services available, but in my encounters with parents, I find that not much information is provided at an early age. Sometimes, if you don't apply for transition services for disabilities when you first learn about the long-range effects of your child's condition, your child could end up on a waiting list for years beyond their teens. Through the many years with Ben, I have learned how to navigate the disability services available and the necessary transition training. If you have a child or know someone who needs information or training in these areas, please message me. I would love to speak with them.