Monthly Archives: October 2011

The Anonymous Note, Part 2 And Those Kids Who Inspire Special Needs Moms

When my daughter Zoe was a toddler, she didn’t spend her days spreading out her toys and playing on our cool tile floor , or toddling around clutching her favorite doll with sticky juice hands like her big sister Olivia did. Instead,  Zoe preferred to cuddle for comfort. Her speech didn’t develop until late so…

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Families

We all have them. I’m not talking about your spouse and your kids. I’m talking about the “extended” family. Most of mine is fairly supportive. However, I do have a rash of those who say: “I admire what you’re doing!” “He’d be dead if you didn’t adopt him, blesshisheart!” OR… “If I were you, I’d…

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Thanksgiving

Oh, I know, it’s not even Halloween (quite) yet, but just like I’m sure you can find retail locations in your community that are a bit ahead of the game with the witches and ghosts keeping company with the Santas and menorahs, my heart is already set on Thanksgiving. Being thankful is good for you,…

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Special Exposure Wednesday – On His Own

The boy attended a classmate’s birthday party at a theme park. He requested, nay, pleaded, to ride the boat on his own. There’s a side story to that but at least, he had fun. Share what you managed to capture this week. Please don’t forget to spread the comment love around.

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US Autism & Asperger Association World Conference

US Autism & Asperger Association (USAAA) will live stream the annual USAAA World Conference for the second straight year on USAAA TV. The broadcast will begin Thursday evening, 7 pm PST, October 27, 2011 and continue through Sunday, October 30, 2011. Over thirty of the world’s leading Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) experts will discuss evidence-based…

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Romanticizing Adoption and Special Needs

It’s tough being an adoptive parent. And a parent of special needs kids. I’m both. And today reminded me of one of the most frustrating aspects of our situation: other people romanticizing it. Sitting on a counselor’s couch at a residential treatment facility where one of our girls has been for 6 weeks, life doesn’t…

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2 Years Later, How Do I feel?

Saturday marked the 2 year anniversary since Jillian was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Those first few days were a blur. Focusing mostly on survival and knowledge. I would stay up super late (like 3am) to research on how I could “fix” this problem. Oh poor naive me. There is no “fix”. We just have to…

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Spina Bifida Awareness Month

Every day in the United States, an average of 8 births are affected by Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. Spina Bifida remains the most commonly occurring complex birth defect in this country. The root cause of Spina Bifida is unknown and the effects for each person are different….

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A Day in the Life…

(this is the truth, nothing but the truth…don’t be too jealous!) Saturday… 0430: “Momma! Momma! Awe ooo sweeping?” 0432: “MOMMMMMMMMA!” 0433: I glance at my husband to see if he’s awake. I contemplate kicking him or screaming bloody murder, but choose to whisper softly to my little darling that he should close his eyes and…

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Our Children Will Grow Up: What Happens When A Vulnerable Population Becomes Even More Vulnerable?

At the end of our lives, we again become vulnerable. Charged to those with hands we hope are gentle, hearts we hope are warm. Family we wish…if all goes well. But what about our children? So many times we are focused on the now, as we should be, as we need to be…with the future…

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