Deborah Fullwood, parent and former occupational therapist, discusses the difficulties of being a family with a disabled child in a society that values health, wholeness and "normality". She presents her views on behalf on many health care receivers and looks at the stresses families are subjected to apart from the worries of their child's education, their post-school opportunities and what lies ahead when parents are no longer able to care for their child at home. She suggests that health care workers need to closely examine and implement strategies in areas such as service provision, increasing the self worth of family members and health workers own education, listening and communication skills. Keyword: Professionals