For families with children with special needs, everyday life can be demanding and filled with considerations. A space where one meets others in the same situation can make a crucial difference. Therefore, Fonden Sol og Strand, represented by Margit and Kjeld, has chosen to support the association Hjernebarnet with 25,000 kroner for their annual family weekend in 2026.

The family weekend has become a tradition, and this time, 37 families from across the country gathered at Feriecenter Slettestrand. Here, accessible facilities allow everyone, regardless of their level of ability, to participate.

– I have only received positive feedback from the families. They say it is a weekend that means a lot. It is an opportunity to gain support and form relationships with other families in the same situation, says Christina Madsen, who reflects on a successful weekend.

Hjernebarnet is a nationwide association that brings together families across diagnoses with the common goal of home-training their children to create the best possible conditions for development and well-being.

The weekend in Slettestrand offered a wide range of activities where everyone could participate. There were shared nature experiences, music and movement, creative activities, horse-drawn carriage rides accessible for wheelchair users, and cozy moments around the campfire and meals.

– This time, we also teamed up with a photographer who took pictures of each family in the beautiful nature around Slettestrand. Besides giving the families a visible memory to take home, it was an opportunity to capture the whole family, which can be difficult in everyday life with a child with a disability, says Christina Madsen.

At the same time, the family weekend particularly focuses on siblings, who have the opportunity to meet others in similar life situations and experience a community that can be hard to find in everyday life.

– It is very important for siblings to be part of a community around being part of a family with different circumstances, says Christina Madsen.

For many families, the weekend is more than just a breather. Friendships and networks emerge here, which can be an important support when everyday life returns.

– It means a lot for families to meet others who understand their everyday life. Here, having a child with a disability is common, and it becomes easier to relax. No one looks twice if your child makes sounds, has a feeding tube, or needs shielding while eating, says Christina Madsen.

A child in distress

Christina Madsen is the mother of a 12-year-old son who has a rare genetic defect. He has no language, and his development corresponds to that of a child around one year old. Hjalte started in a special institution, but it quickly became clear that he was not thriving.

– We had a boy who was sad. He slept poorly at night, and it affected the whole family. His two older sisters were somewhat forgotten because our focus was naturally on Hjalte, says Christina Madsen.

The turning point came when the family, living in Spentrup, decided to home-train Hjalte.

– We asked ourselves the question: Is this the best we can do for our child? There were no signs of development, and he was clearly not thriving.

The family decided to bring Hjalte home, where he is now being trained in, among other things, eating independently, communicating, and expressing his needs. This has made a noticeable difference – not only for Hjalte but for the whole family.

– There is a completely different calm in the family because Hjalte is thriving better. He is no longer sad, and we are getting our sleep back, and we have the energy to also be there for his other siblings. Previously, we had a severely disabled child who was not thriving – we still have a severely disabled child, but the difference is that he is now thriving, she says.

FACTS

The Hjernebarnet association encompasses a wide diversity of children – from children with autism and cerebral palsy to children with physical and mental disabilities, epilepsy, sensory disabilities, and various syndromes. What is common for the families is that they actively take part in their child's training, and that through the community in Hjernebarnet, they find support, knowledge sharing, and networking with others in the same situation.