Exhale Conference Marks Six Years of Supporting Families with Special Needs Children

Iyke Bede

Celebrating mothers of children with special needs, the sixth edition of the Exhale Conference, led by Bukola Ayinde, founder of the Diary of a Special Needs Mum Initiative, brought together high-achieving women to share unique perspectives and foster a supportive, relaxed networking environment that boosted morale and provided enlightenment.

Initially conceived as a retreat for mothers to relax and recharge, the event expanded this year to include fathers under the theme ‘Building Resilient Families,’ aimed at supporting parents of children with special needs.

Several insightful panel sessions tackled key issues surrounding the parenting of children with special needs, business development, mental health, and societal perceptions. In one session, Founder, Raising Stars Africa, Michael Showunmi addressed the stigma faced by people with disabilities, emphasising that changing perceptions begins with individual acceptance of people with special needs. He highlighted how caregiving can strain relationships and family structures, noting the role of family in providing essential emotional support.

A central theme was the role of support systems, with Showunmi advocating for the creation of networks that include therapists and educators. He stressed the need for continuous advocacy in schools and encouraged religious groups to contribute by making places of worship more accessible.

During a session on entrepreneurship, Omoyemi Chukwura, CEO of Seams and Stitches Limited, urged society to prioritise seeing children with special needs as individuals first. She encouraged parents to explore entrepreneurship with an understanding of their target market’s needs and suggested content creation around daily life as a powerful form of advocacy.

Health and wellness were also key topics, with Angela Emuwa, Chair of Punch Media Foundation, and Dr Nora Banjoko highlighting self-care as essential for parents. They suggested stress-relieving activities like dance classes to prevent lifestyle-related illnesses, stressing that parents’ well-being is vital for supporting children with special needs.

“Our Diary of a Special Needs training and mentoring group allows us to tackle business development and mental health. With this group, we continuously discuss, encourage, and support each other. It’s a journey, a process—not something that happens in a single day. It continues,” Ayinde shared.

Another focus of the conference was preparing children with special needs for the future by identifying their abilities and tailoring vocational skills accordingly, with technology seen as a promising tool for empowerment.

Lastly, Mr and Mrs Atebe, along with Bukola Ayinde and her husband Lawrence, shared their experiences of maintaining a healthy marriage while parenting a child with special needs. They highlighted the importance of emotional support, effective communication, and the need to process information together as a couple to navigate the complexities of caregiving.