ArizonaRealCountry.com 39 July 2019 By Desiree’ Byrne, Founder of Front Porch Pickins The Rustic Lifestyle column is dedicated to sharing about all things related to country living: home décor, travel, fashion, family, faith, and more. The Rustic Lifestyle Over the last month, I’ve been busily working on two non-profit efforts within my company: SpecialTix.com and FosterTix.com. The platforms are committed to providing free event tickets to special needs and foster care families. Since I began working on this project, I have been even more immersed in these worlds than ever before. If you’ve read my column previously, you know that I am a special needs mom myself. My husband and I also serve as leaders for a special needs bible study within our church, CCV. What I thought was very familiar to me, has now been amplified beyond what I could have ever imagined. Every day, I am overwhelmed with people asking for help. Person after person is crying out in desperation for anyone who can possibly give them some advice My mission in securing and providing these charitable event tickets is to allow families that typically feel unwelcome and isolated, to know that they do matter. They are welcome. They are valued. They are loved. In connecting more with these families, I’ve found that there is an even bigger opportunity for us as a community. We must intentionally go out of our way to be available. We mustn’t take no for an answer. This not only applies to special needs and foster families but in every relationship. If we believe there is a potential need, we must seek out the individual, be present, be available, and in some cases, be pushy to offer and give help in whatever way possible. What if you can’t help? What if the situation requires finances that you don’t have? What if you’re incapable of babysitting a friend’s disabled child? It’s okay! You aren’t expected to solve everyone’s problems! Sometimes in life, a simple listening Jim Byrne, SurrealMediaAZ.com "Pull up a seat, take a load off your feet. Come on over." Shania Twain February 2019 • Volume 6 • Issue 4 • FREE FEB7-10 2019 FEB7-10 2019 Photo by Craig Cutler © 2019 June 2019 • Volume 6 • Issue 8 • FREE From Vaqueros to Cowboys, to The World’s Oldest Rodeo ® by Bob Roloff, "The Arizona Dude" AZ ROAD TRIP: Strawberry Evolution of the Western Saddle by Jim Olson Cowpunchers Ranch Bronc Riding or assistance in what to do in a variety of situations. Many are lonely. It’s fairly common knowledge that people with special needs family members often lead isolated lives. They struggle to connect with others because they are required to be self-reliant and frequently feel social awkward. They regularly refuse to ask for or accept help, because they feel the “outside” world can’t handle their realities. Even more times than not, they’ve ventured into the everyday world to be asked to leave or rejected. ear, a word of encouragement, a prayer is all we need to make it through another day. I’ve been there. Have you? I’d encourage you to think of someone you know today that could use some support. Call them. Email them. Show up at their house. Make an I’m-here- for-you racket! Let them know they matter. On top of that, I’d suggest taking a moment and thinking of someone who has been there for you in the past. Who has been your saving grace in a time of need? Contact that person and reaffirm how big of an impact that had for you in that moment.