Testimonials

Coaching Club

I look forward to the Coaching Club calls almost like mini retreats. It's so helpful talking and listening to others who are in the same boat as me, as I try to find a balance between my own life and my life with my child with special needs. After pushing "me" aside for several years, I am finding that there really is more to me than caring for my child with special needs. Even if I don’t make it to the call, I love listening to the recordings at other times. They are also like reflection times for me as I begin to think outside my daily activities.

-- Krista P., Cashmere, Washington

I have two children with special needs, and am grateful to have Joan in my life. I love listening to Joan’s bi-weekly teleconferences and monthly telegatherings from the comfort of my own home. She has very concrete, realistic suggestions and a calming voice. Joan has taught me simple ways to take care of myself; even 5 minutes of quiet time helps me to better handle all of the day-to-day tasks that are required for caring for special needs children. Working with Joan is a wonderful gift all parents who have children with special needs deserve!

-- Michelle G., Medfield, MA

Joan Celebi is an amazing coach. She knows what it is like to raise a family while taking care of yourself, your marriage, and all the special needs of your children. After our calls I feel energized, confident, and ready to take action. I´m already more organized and on top of things. Life is running more smoothly and I´ve even allowed myself some “me time!” Thank you, Joan!

-- D.F., Murrysville, PA

When I first contacted Joan, I was on the brink of family and financial disaster. I felt completely overwhelmed.

After just one session of Joan's coaching, I felt more hopeful, energized, and mentally organized than I had in years. Joan's coaching has helped me prioritize, delegate, create a support network, and identify action steps. I have become more effective and happier in all areas of my life.

Also, thanks to Joan, I have built up my self-confidence and am now transitioning out of my many part-time jobs, building up a client base in a career I love. Thank you, Joan, for coaching me to a place where, even in adversity, I feel hope and joy bubbling up on a daily basis.

-- JN, Arlington, Massachusetts

When I first came to Joan, I needed help getting organized and focused on a goal that I had been struggling with for two years. Joan listened to what I needed and helped me come up with a plan, so I could get my manuscript for a children’s book completed and submitted to a publisher. I was so pleased to be able to do this and still meet all the demands of being a mom of 2 children, one of whom has special needs. Joan is a good listener. She is excellent at keeping her clients on task, but also flexible enough to adjust plans when needed. I recommend her highly.

-- H.R., Massachusetts

Joan has given me the opportunity to sort out thoughts and ideas in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. Her action steps and suggestions have given me direction and kept me focused. Finally, I’m getting somewhere instead of just constantly having to be in “reaction mode.” And of course, it's always helpful to have someone to be accountable to!

-- L.N., Washington, DC

… Personally, I am doing pretty darn good! I start a job next Wednesday that’s exactly tailored to my qualifications and needs. I am so excited about it, and other aspects of my life that are straightening out nicely. And Joan, I credit our time together this spring with giving me the ability to see and appreciate these wonderful events as they happen in my life. Thanks for your guidance, support, and wisdom.

-- B.A., Boston, MA

The Overwhelmed No More life coaching teleclass has been an easy, convenient, economical way for me to get balance back into my life, and to free me up to focus on the things I really want to. It’s especially helpful to be talking to a coach who really gets what it takes to be the parent of a child with special needs.

-- SC, Concord, Massachusetts, USA

Just weeks ago, looking after my own needs seemed nearly impossible. In small, carefully planned steps, Joan's teleclass has brought me from "I can't do this" to "That was easy".

-- SM, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I like Joan's teleclass because it's convenient, and I am able to participate even if the kids are home from school. It's helped me prioritize, become more organized, and not feel guilty about saying no to something that is not on the top of the list.

-- JL, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, USA

Joan coordinates the teleclass in a fun and encouraging way that makes you want to participate. I have learned new ways to positively cope in my daily role as a Special Needs Mom! Thanks Joan!

-- J.K., Illinois, USA

Joan’s teleclass has been fantastic. It has been so helpful to work with Joan because she shares the perspective of having a child with special needs. Her advice has been very practical – whether talking about getting organized, asking for help, or an important topic: putting yourself first, something I as a mom with a special needs child haven't often done!

-- BG, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA

This teleclass couldn’t have come at a more perfect time in my life. I work full-time with families of special needs children and have two special children of my own. My days and nights were spent doing and thinking about everybody but myself. This completely contradicts what I know to be true, what my grandmother and mother always told me … “Ain’t nobody happy if mama ain’t happy”. I found that my zest for life was fading and I simply wasn’t happy. I needed to take back my life and refuel. Each week throughout the teleclass series I felt like the topics were written just for me. They fit perfectly with where I was in my life and where I needed to go.  Since completing the Overwhelmed No More! Teleclass, I am a much happier and healthier me. My family is happier and healthier too, and when people ask “how are you” I say “great” and I mean it! Thank you Joan!

-- LP, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Thank you for your teleclass and parent coaching. It is all stuff I know I should do, but having it all written down to think about and then making action steps each week was the part that was missing for me. I now have a plan and course of action. It helps me feel a little more empowered, and a lot less overwhelmed!

-- VM, Illinois

Thanks so much Joan. Great ideas how to give yourself strength through all the challenges of raising your special needs child who brings so many blessings to your life.

-- DB, Atlanta, Georgia

I have often found myself reading something on SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com and have felt "wow, I'm not alone!" Just that feeling has often made all the difference in my day!
Thanks Joan!!!

-- TW, Rocklin, CA

I came upon your website when I decided to Google something ridiculous like "overwhelmed parent special needs"...I don't know what I expected to find, but I was feeling incredibly overwhelmed and desperate for something to help me get our family's life under control. I am so glad that your website popped up. I found myself calming down as I sat and read a couple of entries that seemed as though they were custom written for me (a mom of two young daughters-one of whom has special needs). It was so validating to find someone who not only "gets it" but actually knows what to do about it! I look forward to finding a moment of peace reading your website, newsletters, book, anything I can, for a long time to come. Thank you!

-- DP, Newton, MA

Joan, without your coaching, I would have been far less likely to stick with my action steps. The teleclass gave me the framework, and having you to call every week kept me on track and helped me build on my successes.

-- KH, Lunenburg, MA

WOW! I think this website was made about my life! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

-- SJ, Houston, Texas

Book Testimonials

This book is a good resource for parents who are overwhelmed caring for a child with special needs. A commonsense approach is used by the author to present a clear and specific plan to improve everyday living.

It is obviously written by a mother with experience caring for a special needs child. The book also has worthy ideas for navigating the myriad of social services and educational opportunities for children.

-- F.P.

My plate is so full, this is just what I need.

This book is outstanding. Written from a parent of a special needs child. She knows what we are going through and what we need to survive. It is possible to live a balanced life as a special needs parent. This book will show you how.

-- B.D., Burton, MI

I'm donating a copy to the Resource Library at my Early Intervention Program.

At rare but opportune times in life a person can have a jarring effect when you allow their brilliance to catalyze change. Joan Celebi’s system for reclaiming a joyful life opens possibilities that are always there but so hard to access on your own. I will forever be grateful to her for the profound assistance that only someone who has 'walked the walk' could provide.

-- Menucha Ben-David, Sharon, MA

As the parent of a grown son with special needs, and one who gives workshops on burnout and self-care for caregivers, I highly recommend this useful and encouraging guide. It is written with an understanding and "can-do" attitude that is inclusive, but also very specific in its advice. Parents of sons and daughters of all ages and abilities can benefit from the book's presentation of creative strategies and workable systems for transforming that daily overwhelmed feeling into an ongoing attitude of competence and mastery. In 3 decades of being around special needs parents, and being one myself, I can attest to the fact that "overwhelmed" is a word that always, always, always comes up in conversations among parents. But the author convinces us it doesn't have to be that way. Great resource!

-- Mary Lee Moser, Del Mar, CA
Author, There and Back: A Journal Companion for Special Needs Parents

In what one would think is a common sense approach to balance, those with special needs children know, common sense went out the door with the diagnosis. Those of us living it, know the trials and tributes that go along with raising this special child and this author obviously is living it!. This book helps to regain control using practical easy to do approaches. They are things most of us knew, but they got lost in the shuffle of coping with the life of a special needs child. Comfort is found in this book with the affirmations of `yes, we're not alone' and `someone else out there is surviving'. Having this wonderful tool is a must have for navigating the maze of opportunities and challenges that your special gifted child has blessed you with.

-- K.D, USA

This book is awesome! I recommend it all the time to other parents I know with special needs kids. It really helps to put everything in perspective! I'm better able to cope with my son and his needs when I am not so overwhelmed.

-- B.C., Belchertown, MA

I feel better just holding this book!

This is a GREAT book for parents of kids with special needs. I think the best part is that you can skip around according to your needs and don't have to follow the book cover to cover. We all have different personal situations and Joan really understands that. While you can't walk in someone else's shoes, the book makes you feel like someone else (Joan) has been in at least a similar situation. I'm not there yet but someday I hope to also be "overwhelmed no more!"

-- D.L., East Walpole, MA

Raising children with developmental delays is overwhelming and having more than one with problems is extra demanding. Many important tasks such as taking better care of the primary caretaker and other chores often fall down the priority list of things to do (when they shouldn't). Joan Celebi's book "Overwhelmed No More!: The Complete System for Balanced Living for Parents of Children with Special Needs" comes to the rescue with a simplified presentation of a series helpful ideas and quick exercises to help guide the parent/caretaker toward new-found organization in order to be and to feel less overwhelmed. We all juggle more than what, at times, seems humanly possible and it is nice to have someone else on our team to help us make it through the rollercoaster moments that we live daily.

-- T., Silver Creek, GA

I've been looking for something like this everywhere.

This is a step-by-step, easy to use instructional manual to make life smoother for families that are consistently opting for "Plan B" when "Plan A" never materializes. Life throw the never-ending curve and this book assists the user in getting back on track. A wonderful tutorial, making life more manageable and peaceful.

-- P.P.

Definitely advise to take. I took one of her workshops and it was fantastic.

-- P.C., Ayer, MA

This book has given me the tools to find the balance and I am able to enjoy not only my child but myself again as well.

-- A., Wildwood, NJ

This book offers advice and systems to help you etch out time to take care of yourself and to enjoy your child without the guilt! How refreshing! This book has tools designed to guide your planning and it stresses the importance of enjoying your child; just because they are a child!

-- J.E., Texas

I love this author's common sense advice. As a parent of two special needs children who have very different special needs, I have found that having a strategy to help meet their demands made has improved our daily life.

-- K.M., Miami, FL

I'm bringing this with me to my next parent group meeting.

This is a great book for those parents feeling the stress of caring for a special needs child and need a game plan for creating more order and peace in their lives. Joan has showed me that I can get things done if I just plan ahead. I really liked the sections on Perfect No More and Managing My Time. I have also been able to work exercise back into my life and a watercolor class. These are things I never thought I could do for myself because my life was so crazy with my special needs child and two other small children.

The Telecourse and Companion Parent Coaching she offers were also very helpful to bring things together. Life is not perfect, but I am feeling less overwhelmed and on on my way to a more enjoyable life.

-- V.M., Wheaton, IL

This book is a welcome gift for those we love who do so much for others. Truly a gift of love.

-- M.S., Providence

I had the opportunity to meet Joan at a special needs conference. Just that interaction showed what a wealth of information she had and a truly practical approach to caring for a special needs child AND yourself. Her life coaching sessions were extremely helpful in decreasing that 'overwhelmed' feeling we parents experience with a special needs child. This book is a must read and read and read again for any parent with special needs who seeks balance in their lives.

-- B., Mass

I wish I'd had this book 3 years ago!

Joan, thank you for providing wonderful resources and ideas - with a marvelously positive outlook. …Your emails have often given me a nugget to think about (e.g. "having dinner and enjoying our kids just the way they are") and the other sites and books you recommend have really helped me navigate this "SpEd parent" thing!

-- L.M.

Joan, your newsletter is great. Very helpful for me as a parent. Keep up the great work!

-- Gina Gallagher, co-author
Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: The Best Medicine for Parents of Imperfect Kids, Without All the Scary Side Effects
www.ShutUpAbout.com

This is going to make a big difference in my life.

I have seen Joan's presentation on balanced living 4 times! Each time I gain new insights about myself and how to adjust my priorities and lifestyle for less stress. Joan's strategies work if you implement the 'self assessment' and are honest with what you want. My life, with two children with special needs, is filled with quality family time, clear goals and restful moments.

As a Family Support Director, I have invited Joan to speak at many programs. She has never disappointed. Even though each family member maybe in a different "place", each person takes away something helpful and meaningful from her strategies and insights. Her understanding of special needs life is priceless and her commitment to bring life coaching skills to this community in creative ways are a benefit to all who participate.

-- Amy Young Family Support Director Lifelinks, Inc. Lowell, Massachusetts

Joan really helps you gain perspective.

I got a lot out of it – it's interactive, not a lecture.

Inspiring!

Don't miss it!

Dear Joan:

Thank you for your wonderful all-day presentation at our Fall Conference. As someone who attended the session, I can attest to the quality and usefulness of the information you presented. I am looking forward to implementing my personal Action Plan, and am so grateful for the opportunity to participate. I look forward to working with you again.

Suzanne M. DuCharme
President
Massachusetts Speech Language Hearing Association

Lunchtime Teleseminars

I'm so happy I was able to discover your lunchtime teleseminars , they are really an inspiration to me and they keep me going even when I don't have all of the answers, just a whole lot of questions. Thanks for all you bring to the many families raising children with special needs.

-- Alicia Catney, Woodbridge, VA