Honoring Family Support on Grandparents Day

This Saturday, as we celebrate Grandparents Day, we pause to recognize the powerful role grandparents and extended family members play in the lives of children, families, and people with disabilities. Their support is not simply “helping out” — it is a foundation of love, stability, and wisdom that strengthens families and communities.

A Legacy of Love and Support

Grandparents often bring more than an extra set of hands. They bring perspective, traditions, and reassurance. For many families navigating the world of disability services, grandparents provide encouragement, advocate in schools or healthcare settings, or simply create a safe space where a child feels completely accepted. Their presence helps siblings feel included and parents feel less alone.

What the Research Shows

Recent research confirms what many families already know: grandparents are more than just cheerleaders — they are emotional anchors, advocates, and contributors to stability. A 2022 scoping review published in Disability and Rehabilitation examined over 30 studies on grandparents of children with disabilities. It found that grandparents frequently provide emotional support, help navigate school or healthcare systems, and deepen family bonds through their presence. While many grandparents describe their role as rewarding, the review also noted that they are not always included by professionals or given the resources they need to fully support their families. The study’s conclusion was clear: when communities and systems recognize grandparents as true partners, the entire family — including the child with a disability — benefits.

Strength in Community

Beyond the research, countless stories show how grandparents make a difference every day. They may offer childcare, transportation to appointments, or financial help, but their most valuable gift is often emotional: listening, cheering on milestones, and celebrating every achievement. These gestures remind families that they are not facing challenges in isolation — they are surrounded by love.

Dignity and Partnership

It is important to emphasize that support does not define people with disabilities as dependent or burdensome. Instead, it highlights what every person deserves: relationships built on dignity, mutual respect, and opportunity. Family support creates an environment where people with disabilities can pursue independence, joy, and meaningful connection — with their loved ones walking alongside them.

Looking Ahead

On this Grandparents Day, let’s celebrate not only the wisdom of grandparents but also the many ways extended families strengthen communities. From the everyday moments of encouragement to the big milestones of advocacy and progress, families remind us that love is a collective effort.

To every grandparent, aunt, uncle, or extended family member supporting children and people with disabilities: thank you. Your steady presence helps nurture confidence, resilience, and belonging. Today, we honor you — and the beautiful reminder that dignity and love grow strongest when shared across generations.

References

Novak-Pavlic, M., Abdel Malek, S., Rosenbaum, P., Macedo, L. G., & Di Rezze, B. (2022). A scoping review of the literature on grandparents of children with disabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(18), 5035–5044. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1877628