Organization looking to help parents of special needs kids

Rochester, N.Y. — Rochester, N.Y. -- An organization that gives parents of special needs kids mini-vacations is expanding, partnering with new locations in the Rochester area.

Mom of four, Dana Bisnett, knows how how hard it can be to find time for yourself as a parent.

"As a parent of typical kids, you always put yourself last. And with a special needs kid in the mix, you really come last," she said.

Her daughter Giana, eight, was born with Spina Bifida and nine missing ribs. She spent her first six months in the NICU and is now under 24 hour nursing care.

About two year's ago, Bisnett and her husband found out about David's Refuge.

"It's respite of parents of special needs kids. We go 100 miles an hour during the week and all the time. Just getting away together. It's kind of like a little mini honeymoon."

The organization provides a weekend escape for parents of kids with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. They get dinner, pampering and a stay at a bed and breakfast like the Edward Harris House in Rochester; one of more than a dozen locations that have teamed up with David's Refuge in upstate New York.

"It's amazing actually because you don't know exactly what people are going through, but you can only imagine that this is something they don't get to do often," said Susan Alvarez, Owner Edward Harris House. "I just really enjoy seeing the expressions on their faces."

"That's really the drive in getting David's Refuge out here to Rochester," said Kate Houck, executive director of David's Refuge. "It's giving the couples a chance to experience a weekend they don't have to drive two or three hours to get."

David's Refuge was started in the Syracuse area by the Pfohl Family in memory of their son David.

Inspired by their mission of caring for the caregiver, the Bisnetts became hosts, or guides, for couples coming to Rochester. They've already hosted couples three times at the Edward Harris House.

"It's lovely to meet the other special needs parents, hear their stories and let them know they're not alone," said Bisnett.

About 60 couples in Western New York in the last year received getaways through David's Refuge. It's part of the reason they're looking to expand here. Their goal is to have four more bed and breakfasts to sign up by the end of the year.

To make a success in the Rochester area, David's Refuge is looking for a lot of community partnerships. To learn more about how to help, click here.