Dear Parents,
We are excited to invite you to share your voice and experiences through a new FamilyConnect blog opportunity.
Through funding from the Gibney grant, we are inviting parents to contribute a personal story that can support other families navigating life with a child who is blind or has low vision.
Families often come to ConnectCenter during moments of uncertainty, when they are trying to make decisions about school, independence, services, or what to do next. Your story can help another parent feel less alone and more confident as they face those same questions.
Opportunity Details
- Selected participants will receive a $250 stipend for one completed blog post
- We anticipate selecting up to 10 parents through a brief approval process
- Blogs should focus on real-life experiences such as parenting, school transitions, advocacy, independence, or community inclusion
What We’re Looking For
We are not looking for formal or “perfect” writing. We are looking for honest, personal stories that help another parent think through a situation or decision.
Attached is a list of common questions families often face. You do not need to answer all of them. Instead, we encourage you to:
- Choose one or two questions that connect to your experience
- Share your story in your own voice
- Describe what you learned, what helped, or what you might do differently
- Offer insight that could help another parent decide what to do next
You can think of your post as: “What I wish I knew when I was facing this situation.”
What to Expect
If selected, you will:
- Receive a simple writer’s guide and template to support you
- Be provided with clear, flexible guidelines to help shape your story
- Can receive feedback as part of our editorial process
No professional writing experience is needed. Your perspective is what matters most.
Timeline
- Invitations open: March 25
- Selected participants will be contacted and contracted (W-9 required)
- Final blog submissions due: June 15
If you are interested in participating, please email Richard Rueda at rrueda@aph.org with:
- A brief topic you would like to write about
- A short outline or description of your story
We hope you will consider sharing your experience. Your story can make a meaningful difference for families who are navigating similar paths.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Warmly,
Richard Rueda
Leanne Grillot