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Hello, I recently rediscovered this city data site. I LOVE it!!! OK so it is late, hope this makes sense.
I am married with 2 babies under 2. We currently live in Largo, FL. Why? My husband is from this county, we were trying to decide where to live and this seemed more affordable than So Cal, which is where I am from. Not well though out but Oh well. I also loved the warm water, not like the freezing cold water of California beaches. So now we have been living here a little over a year and I don't want to be here at all anymore! I miss my family and California. I miss mountains, I miss taking drive up the PCH, I miss it all.
My husband hated Cali though, says too poluted, too much traffic, what is so special, etc, etc.
We met when we were living in Hawaii, on Oahu. We met at church, and for both of us, Hawaii is incredibly special to us. We both found God there, became Christian and have an amazing family of friends there for Life. The kind of friends that you can only dream of. Why did we leave? Too long of story to tell for now, but believe me, I wish with all my heart we still lived there.
So it seems like a no brainer to live there with how much we love it. Love the beauty, the weather, the culture, the people, the food, the churches, the whole lifestyle. My family is from Mexico, the cultures and traditions remind me so much of Mexico.
Well here is the dilemma. Our precious son, Noah or Keona ( the Hawaiian name we gave him) is 21 mos old. and he happens to have Down syndrome. He is an amazing little boy, so smart, so fun, so loving. He know sign language, anyways, will stop there. He does not have any health issues, but nonetheless this is something that stops us from just moving anywhere. He is currently receiving wonderful speech, physical, occupational therapy. I know we can't complain. We also have the best pediatrician and great hospitals and specialist at our fingertips.
So why even think of moving. Am I crazy? Well that is why we do not just get up and move. However I have faith that God will provide wherever we are. I do still need to investigate though. I am sure that one day we will move there. When is more of the question.
Does anyone live in Hawaii and have a special needs child???? How is life like for you there?
We plan to homeschool, so school is not really an issue.
Sorry for rambling
God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi JJ ~ I would google services on Oahu. People with babies who need special services will be able to tell you if you'll be well served or not.
My boy was complaining -- complaining big time -- of a neck pain yesterday. After listening to it for a few hours and giving Tylenol the advice nurse told me to get him to the emergency room.
The worry, I believe, is Meningitis. Something that can kill. On the way over all I could think is that if we actually do move to Oahu, I need to make sure that the hospital on Oahu is a full service one.
Seriously, in the 10 min. drive to the hospital, this is what I was thinking about.
It was nothing serious -- my son slept funny apparently , but he was complaining enough that I'm still glad I took him to emergency and paid the co pay.
Good luck. Talk to the service providers on Oahu!!
Alley ps. I'm in No. Cal and would love to be be a warm beach too. My husband keeps suggesting FL and I keep hearing people want out more than anything positive.
Does anyone live in Hawaii and have a special needs child???? How is life like for you there?
We plan to homeschool, so school is not really an issue.
I do have a child with special needs but it's not Down Syndrome. We receive good services from the State but we had to really fight for them. It's not like they offered all that we wanted but once we really pushed and advocated, we got a buffet of services that we're pleased with. From my experience talking to friends in other states who have children like mine, it's much the same in other places. If you're informed and you know how to back up your desire for your child to have more services, you get more.
My child is mainstreamed and doing well with adequate supports in place.
edited: I just realized you're going to homeschool so much of my post isn't useful to you. Sorry. You might be interested in the Early Intervention Program here. They provide speech, OT, PT, various family support programs, and social skills training. Here is a list of services the local EI provides. http://hawaii.gov/health/family-chil.../services.html
This state is generally family friendly and child oriented - very much about the ohana. I've heard people in other states say their SN kids were treated badly by strangers when they were out and about in public. I haven't seen that here and I've haven't heard of that happening here. For that reason alone, I'm glad I live here.
I do have a child with special needs but it's not Down Syndrome. We receive good services from the State but we had to really fight for them. It's not like they offered all that we wanted but once we really pushed and advocated, we got a buffet of services that we're pleased with. From my experience talking to friends in other states who have children like mine, it's much the same in other places. If you're informed and you know how to back up your desire for your child to have more services, you get more.
My child is mainstreamed and doing well with adequate supports in place.
edited: I just realized you're going to homeschool so much of my post isn't useful to you. Sorry. You might be interested in the Early Intervention Program here. They provide speech, OT, PT, various family support programs, and social skills training. Here is a list of services the local EI provides. Hawai‘i State Department of Health
This state is generally family friendly and child oriented - very much about the ohana. I've heard people in other states say their SN kids were treated badly by strangers when they were out and about in public. I haven't seen that here and I've haven't heard of that happening here. For that reason alone, I'm glad I live here.
Another good post from Afishwithabike ... comments mirror my experience with Hawaii's special services ... they are there -- at least technically addressed -- but rooting through the red-tape to find them hidden in dusty corners is a project with little support ... and competent professionals in the support positions are few and far between. This is not me slamming anyone who works in the field there. These are not insensitive idiots I am talking about. The job market in Hawaii for these types of specialties is very limited by the size and culture of the population that would utilize services (and, consequently, by the pay offered!). It is exactly right that SN and Disabled in Hawaii are very attentively cared for by family. It is a small, isolated population, as states go ... and the culture is ohana. Which is pretty darn nice in its own way. But you will need a network, and it is going to be a project to sew the net that you desire and need.
I think what she is asking is 'How are the welfare programs in Hawaii for Special Needs children'.
Disclaimer: I am not from Hawaii, nor have I ever lived there.
According to your post you picked FL over CA due to the cost of living among other things. You stated you miss having your family around and I am sure they would be a great help in your situation, if they are supportive. Have you thought of possibly moving to Northern California? You don't have the same amount of smog and traffic as SoCal yet you are still driving distance to your family. I believe California has rather generous programs for those who need them.
Hawaii is going to be expensive and costly for you to go to the mainland or to have family come and visit should you need some assistance. I have no idea what the generosity level is of their assistance programs. I can;t picture Hawaii being a state with a very generous program compared to some other states.
Furthermore, I am sure you have read several topics on this forum regarding employment. Many have stated that unemployment is quite high in Hawaii right now and landing a job can be difficult if not impossible depending on your industry/experience.
Make sure you take a hard long look before doing anything.
Thank you everyone for all of your helpful responses. I apprciate them. I just finished writing a few paragraphs and accidentally erased the page! Well anyways what I was saying is that we are actually still probably years away from being able to make any move. We bought a home in Largo, Fl. and the market has only gotten worse so we will nto be able to sell it for awhile.
This is fine, it gives me time to really investigate everything and not make a quick decision. Some important points made were the fact that ist would be very expensive for my family to visit, which I have a large family that I love and want to be able to see often. I sadly can't see them often right now because I am in Florida and they are in California.
Also, I agree that it does not seem that Hawaii, due to its small size and smaller population of special needs citizens there is a lot less money and resources available. Certainly compared to Ca or Fl.
Our plan was to move to the Big Island once we have enought money saved to buy a place outright or at least pay most of it, and to also be a as self sufficient as possible and have our own business, as well as side work. My husband is incredibly handy. He currently is self employed. He does computer work and handyman work an d has been able to support us with this.
Well I have alot more I would like to add to this but my babies are calling...
Also please continue to add comments, they are all helpful and things are brought up that I hadn't thought of before.
Oh one more quick thing. No. Cal. I would love to move to No. Cal, but that is too expensive as well. At least the areas that I would want to live. I admit I don't know much of No. Cal besides all the towns on the drive up the PCH from L.A. to San Fran, and a little inland.
OK baby is crying, thanks again!!!!
God Bless You!!!
... I concur with northern California being worth (very worth) consideration ... and by northern California, I do not mean the Bay Area ... the Bay is nice ... it is fun ... it IS Expensive!!
But north-of-the-Bay not too far, things get better and better for some affordable rural lifestyle. And there's a MAJOR change up there from the California congestion and somewhat mindless lifestyle of the coastal areas in the Bay and south. Russian River areas are not all expensive if you pick and sift through the listings slowly and carefully. Clear Lake has a couple spotty communities at the south end (a bit crime-prone -- but WILL clean up over time), but as you go north up the Lake a bit it is terrific ... also east of Clear Lake is affordable land, if you like the drier, hotter lifestyle (real isolated, too). Eureka / Arcata, far north on the coast, (and Crescent City even) are also affordable -- at least in comparison to Hawaii (!) -- though I don't personally care for Crescent City itself much. Yreka and Weed areas are great ranching-type country way up north on the interstate corridor. Some of the interstate north corridor communities are brutally hot in summer, around the Redding area especially ... but further up it is outstanding, if you like real rural living.
I advise you to stay where you are. You state that it's all at your fingertips. Think of the kids and deal with it. As you said you've lived here before you should know the melting pot animosity is growing. Never mind the insurmountalble rents, homeless population etc... The Hawaiian people (the magority) do not want more foreigners moving here (mainland or otherwise). You pull the 'God card' and 'our cultures are the same card' to justify a bad dream. Please think of ALL your children and what affect it wil have on them. Afterall, consistency (staying in the same place) is what's best for kids.
This message is not meant to be atagonist.
I understand your pining for Hawaii, I feel that way all the time out here in the desert. And due to business, I get to go "home" every 6-8 weeks or so. Hawaii is in a medical state of emergency right now. Many of the residents don't know it yet, but the docs and hospitals are up to their ears in insurance costs, taxes, cost of living issues, and on and on. Due to the huge shortfall in tax revenue (people aren't traveling, and our lovely Washington DC keeps telling businesses not to "go to resorts" for their meetings. Ouch!)
So - that means that people with special needs are not getting the kind of support they usually need and want. Even if you can afford to pay for the services yourself, they just aren't as available as they might be in other mainland cities that have more diversity in their income streams.
I love Down's Syndrome kids. I used to work with them when I was in college. And they are the sweetest, most loving people. I don't think you will have problems with your son getting along in Hawaii. But as you know, there are some health issues down the road that could be a challenge in a state with Hawaii's problems right now.
I would say that God may have led you to this site so you can get some clear-eyed advice from people with a lot of Hawaii experience. As many others have said, you have all you need right now. The grass looks greener, and the memory plays tricks. We love our friends back home, yet sometimes it's best to stay put for a little while till things are crystal clear for you. There may be a time down the road where it is such a strong pull that you may figure it out.
I hate to add to the chorus of those urging caution, but I would never move to the Big Island (or any neighbor island, in fact) if I or a family member had a serious ongoing or congenital condition that needed consistent availability of skilled treatment and resources.
Quote:
once we have enought money saved to buy a place outright or at least pay most of it, and to also be a as self sufficient as possible and have our own business, as well as side work. My husband is incredibly handy. He currently is self employed. He does computer work and handyman work and has been able to support us with this.
You're going to find all of this more difficult in Hawai`i, and I would urge you to re-think. Given economic realities, no one should move to Hawai`i without at least a year's income in the bank, preferably 18 months. (Yes, there are exceptions and yes some folks have gotten lucky and quickly found work, but those of us who had been long-time residents saw most folks who came over take months and months and months to find a job -- if ever).
You would also be even more isolated from family than now, and you need factor in that at "family times" like Christmas the airfares will sometimes quintuple or more in price.
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, but he was complaining enough that I'm still glad I took him to emergency and paid the co pay.
Don't shoot the messinger
