A New Magazine for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Every one of us has a purpose in life. Even when we go through tough times, there is a purpose for every thing we go through. At least that's what I've come to believe. For Kristine Rademacher, founder and editor of the new eZine, Unique, this belief is a reality. This courageous mother of a gorgeous little boy (who arrived 15 weeks early) created a place where parents, caregivers and friends of children with special needs can meet to give/receive support, seek advice or get a nice warm cyber hug from others who understand. Let's talk with Kristine about Unique Magazine, her vision for the publication and what inspires her.

CHYNNA: Kristine, thank you so much for finding some time to chat with me. Your magazine is phenomenal, and with such a wonderful purpose. Can you talk about it and what your vision is for the magazine?

KRISTINE: Unique Magazine was born out of a desire to help parents with children who have special needs. There are parents that are doing amazing things for their children and often feel like they are all alone and that no one understands.

One of the goals of Unique Magazine is to help parents realize they aren't on their own. Traditional parenting magazines ignore the needs and unique issues of families with special needs kids our goal is to address these needs and help find solutions and support.

The broader vision of Unique Magazine is to raise a gift fund. This fund will be distributed to families who are in need of extra financial support due to expenses related to their child's diagnosis. The federal and state level government programs are going through major budget cuts. The needs for equipments, therapies, surgeries, etc., won't go away. If the government is going to back out of the picture then someone has to step in. That's the desire of Unique Magazine and myuniquekid.com.

CHYNNA:The gift fund is a fantastic and generous idea. You are so right about the cuts in government support groups. We are experiencing that up here in Canada too. Now, it must be difficult starting a magazine from the ground up. What has the experience been like? What would make the experience a bit easier?

KRISTINE: CRAZY! Everything has been happening so fast.

To be honest a year ago I wouldn't have thought I would be doing this. But in the last three years I have learned about the trials and unique challenges that having a child with special needs brings. As I met other parents of children with special needs the more I became aware of the need for a publication like this. It wasn't long before the concept consumed my thoughts and after a lot of prayer I started work on the website. Once I secured the domain name things just started to fall into place at an amazing pace.

What would make it easier is someone who could walk me through what I needed to do to obtain non-profit status. As well as someone who truly understands internet marketing. We are also in need of some funding to help cover operating costs while looking for advertisers, sponsors, and donations. Those are our biggest hurdles to overcome right now.

CHYNNA: Well, I certainly hope one of our readers is able to direct you to someone who can help you. On your website, I read that your source of inspiration for creating Unique was your beautiful son. Are you comfortable with talking about what happened with him?

KRISTINE: I love to talk about my son. He is truly a miracle. I know that most parents say that but with Nathaniel it's true. He was born 15 weeks early and weighed only 1 lb 13 ozs at birth. After he was born I was too weak to get out of bed so off he went to the NICU to be worked on and I stayed in my room and soon passed out. That was at 11:45 p.m. By 5:30 the following morning I was told that if I wanted to see my son alive I needed come to the NICU. So with the help of my husband and nurse I was wheeled down to the NICU to see my son. When I saw my son in the NICU I was completely overwhelmed by what I saw. He was on an oscillating vent which vibrates the lungs in effort to make the oxygen exchange. His O2 stats were so low that the doctors were calling him a "blue blood." Three oxygen stat monitors either didn't register any oxygen saturation in his blood or only single digits.

The doctors put up privacy screens around us to give us our own space while we watched our son die. However, my husband and I chose to start praying and singing to him. We would pray and then sing and sing and then pray and within the next hour we watched as God touched him and his O2 stat went up from single digits up to the 80's, his heart rate went from low 90's to the 150's. The doctors suddenly started to return to start working on him again. My husband and I just kept praying and singing.

After that first morning we settled in for the long haul. We did our best to keep a prayerful vigil over Nathaniel while trying to maintain some normalcy for our two daughters. Things seemed to settle into a pattern until we were told that Nathaniel had suffered a Grade 4 brain bleed in the first few days of life and was now developing hydrocephalus. Once again the doctor's were suggesting that maybe we should turn off the ventilator and let him go because his medical needs would be more then we've considered. We refused to do this and demanded the doctor's do their job. Praise the Lord we did. There were several other events in the NICU that kept us on our knees in prayer but God heard us and Nathaniel surpassed the doctor's expectations. We were discharged on our original due date April 4th 2006, exactly 15 weeks from him being born.

Since bringing Nathaniel home we have had several hospital stays due to a weakened immune system. He had surgery while in the NICU for retinopathy and now has some vision issues, we are still trying to determine what all he sees and how well he sees them. Due to the bleed in the brain we are still not walking and have had several physical developmental delays. But even with all of this I am so very thankful that we have him.

CHYNNA: Kristine, I'm actually tearing up. How brave and strong you are to go through such an experience. I can relate to the aching feelings of seeing your own child on monitors in the NICU-not being able to hold, touch or love them the way you should. Wow. He truly is a blessing and a living miracle. Let's talk about how parents, caregivers, family members, and friends can contribute to Unique's purpose?

KRISTINE: There is a donate button on both the home page and the subscribe page on the website. It is processed through PayPal.

Besides financial donations, readers and visitors to the site can donate their victories to us to post on our victory page. It's a way to celebrate what your child has accomplished and encourage others as well.

CHYNNA: I hope everyone out there with a story contributes. There is nothing more inspirational than to hear how other children who struggle reach tiny milestones. On the editor's side of things, are you seeking writers' contributions? If so, what are you looking for? What don't you want to see?

KRISTINE: We are looking for writers to contribute to Unique Magazine. We need people who are willing to do interview of experts in the children care field such a therapist, and doctors who can provide care ideas or options for different diagnosis's, and special feature pieces. We have writer's guidelines available on our About Us page of our website for our regular departments. We will consider article ideas outside of our regular departments as well. Good writing that is within our niche will be published. Poor writing will not. Writers can submit complete manuscripts however, we prefer a query letter if you are a new writer for us.

CHYNNA: Thank you so much for the guidelines. I have to ask this as I'm sure you read many tear-jerking personal stories. Can you think of any stories you've come across that have been particularly touching/memorable/inspirational?

KRISTINE: Every story that I hear holds its own meaning for me. Each family is so unique and the challenges they face. There is something that is able to be learned from each story and they all have their impact.

When we get our gift fund built up to a point we can start donating then I think those stories will have a deep impact on me because we will get to know the families better.

CHYNNA: That is truly inspirational. While we're on the subject, Kristine, what inspires you?

KRISTINE: Wow. That's a tough question. I think what inspires me the most is the dedication I see of parents to do the best thing for their child no matter what the cost or personal requirement.

CHYNNA: I can certainly relate to that. Can people advertise in the magazine? If so, what are you seeking in terms of advertisers?

KRISTINE: We do allow advertisers in the magazine as well as corporate sponsors. We are looking for advertisers that are within our genre. So anything to do with kids or products that are designed for children with special needs are welcome to contact us. Our rates can be viewed on our About Us page.

CHYNNA: Thanks so much. I'll keep my ears and eyes open for you. If any of our readers have products they'd like to advertise I hope they contact you. Now, as a woman and mom with so much insight, do you have any pearls of wisdom for parents of special needs children?

KRISTINE: Remember to breathe. It can get very overwhelming and sometimes you just have to stop and catch your breath. You are the perfect parent for your child. If anyone else could have done a better job raising your child then you can then God would have given your child to someone else. But He didn't, He gave you this special child because you are perfectly equipped to raise your child.

CHYNNA: That is powerful and significant advice. Thank you for that. Before we say goodbye, what is the main message you want people to derive from your magazine?

KRISTINE: When people read Unique Magazine I want them to realize that they are not alone and that there is someone who cares about the challenges they face and wants to assist them in finding the help and info that is needed. That even though their life may have a very serious side to it at times that it is still possible and vital to laugh, relax, and remember to take care of you.

CHYNNA: Thank you so much for your time, Kristine. I, for one, have found tremendous comfort and love on your site and think it is an invaluable resource for parents of children with special needs. I know you'll go far with this venture because you have a big heart, a solid vision and strong faith.

Please visit Unique Magazine today. If you are an expert in any area of special needs children and would like to contribute, please contact Kristine through her website. You don't have to be a parent of a special needs child to appreciate what Kristine and her staff are trying to accomplish. You just need to have a love for children and the same vision Kristine does for starting the magazine in the first place: to reach out to other parents so they don't feel alone.

Bless you, Kristine and good luck to you.

Unique Magazine is a new publication for parents of special needs children.Having a child with special needs means having a unique lifestyle, challenges and victories.http://www.myuniquekid.com/about.html