Every parent of an intellectually disabled child has experienced that painful moment when they find out children’s disability. Parents must suffer from combination of complex emotions such as panic, depression, guilt, disappointment, and anxiety, because the future of their intellectually disabled child is uncertain. At that difficult moment, parents definitely wish that a case manager of social service would show up and provide support and counseling.

From the birth of child, parents begin another stage of life and shoulder the important responsibility of raising the next generation. However, for parents of intellectually disabled children, the pressure of raising their children is unimaginable. 

When their children are diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, parents desperately need guidance and support from professionals to help them understanding their children's needs and arranging appropriate training for them. On the other hand, parents also wish to select suitable school and accompany their children with positive attitude. As their intellectually disabled children reach adulthood, they begin to worry about their health, social life, work and accommodation.

Since the demand of social services is getting more complex and lack of system for case manager of social service, IDEAL piloted the "Life Journey Book" for People with Intellectual Disabilities" project in 2012 for the purpose of recording the growth process of members individually and systematically by our professional social workers. In their "Life Journey Book", records of training, medical history, experience, personality, etc. are provided for future planning in order to organize more appropriate nursing services in long term. In this program, parents temporarily served as case managers and the effect of this program were excellent. 

To promote the "Life Journey Book for People with Intellectual Disabilities" and appeal to the public for attention to intellectually disabilities people and their families, IDEAL proposed " Support & Love Sharing " program to expand the social network of people with intellectual disabilities and received funding from the Social Welfare Department's Community Support Program. 

Objectives

1. Allow caregivers to have a comprehensive understanding of the growth and development of children with intellectual disabilities and help caregivers developing better future care plans for children with intellectual disabilities.
2. Provide emotional support services for people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers, and establish a network of social resources to reduce the stress of caregivers
3. Improve the self-esteem of intellectually disabled people and their caregivers.
4. Appeal to the society for correct understandings of intellectually disabled people and promote social inclusion.

History of program

2012            Trial implementation of "Life Journey Book for People with Intellectual Disabilities" sponsored by Hebe Haven Yacht Club

2015-2017   Funded by the Social Welfare Department, IDEAL implemented the " Support & Love Sharing " program for period of three years. After the project, IDEAL published " Book of Support & Love Sharing " with feedback from different participants.

2018-2020   Funded by the Social Welfare Department again, IDEAL continued the " Support & Love Sharing - Friends Along the Road " program for three years.

2021-2023   Funded by the Social Welfare Department for the third time, IDEAL continued the " Support & Love Sharing - Journey of Friendship " program for three years. 

2024-2026   Funded by the Social Welfare Department for the fourth time, IDEAL continued the " Support & Love Sharing – Path of Growth" program for three years.