One of Ashley’s favorite things to do at the beach is to feed the seagulls. I’ve taught all my children from a very young age how to throw food to one seagull, and almost instantly 20 more will appear. We’ve fed them from hotel balconies – we’ve fed them while we were on the beach…
You Are Here: Home » Author Archives: Deborah
Author Archives: Deborah
In addition to her job as a computer engineer and her single parent responsibilities, Deborah is president of a state-wide family support group for families whose lives are touched by deafblindness, and is a tireless advocate for all people with disabilities. She writes at Pipe Cleaner Dreams and her writing has also been featured in local magazines and newspapers. Ashley’s story has also been chronicled in a book by Jonathan Mooney titled Short Bus Stories.
Definitely NOT a Poor Thing
Written on June 9, 2010 by Deborah
Why do most people say “awww, poor thing” when I tell them of Ashley’s significant disabilities? I admit that when I list all her issues, it might seem like she has a daunting job just existing each day. But I honestly don’t believe, and I think Ashley would agree with this assessment, that her life…
Oh Baby!
Written on June 2, 2010 by Deborah
I attended a baby shower this past weekend that was a bit unconventional. The mom-to-be is a woman who worked after school with my daughter, Ashley. She is also a high school special education teacher. Dad-to-be works at the same high school and assists students with special needs find supported employment. They seem to be…
in Family Life, Feeding
Dinner Out
Written on May 26, 2010 by Deborah
Ashley had a good day at school today UNTIL her vision teacher showed up just 15 minutes before the end of the school day. Ashley may not be able to tell you exactly what time it is, but she knows her daily schedule down to every last minute. School is over at 3:15 pm, and…
Time to Clean the Toilet, Sweetums
Written on May 19, 2010 by Deborah
Disciplining a teenager is difficult for me, especially when the teenager needs lots of discipline. I don’t believe in corporal punishment so hitting them is not an option (that and the fact that they are bigger than me). Confining me to my room was a technique used by my parents, but in this day of…
Rolling Along, Just Faster
Written on May 12, 2010 by Deborah
My son needs a new wheelchair. The one he brought from his foster home feels like it is going to just collapse in a heap at any moment. The brakes constantly need adjusting – it shimmies and shakes – the arm pads are way too close to the wheels – and I worry about my…
in Uncategorized
Those Who Understand, and Those Who Don’t
Written on May 5, 2010 by Deborah
I read a post yesterday from one of my favorite bloggers, Jess at Connor’s Song. While the post was primarily about Jess’s nesting instincts and the new daughter she and her husband are adopting, she shared some of the comments people have made about that adoption. Those comments, most of them insensitive, really struck a…
Spina Whatida?
Written on April 28, 2010 by Deborah
As many of you know, I just adopted a 15 year old young man named Ronnie. Ronnie is deaf and has spina bifida. Since my youngest daughter is also deaf, making sure Ronnie has all the appropriate supports isn’t new to me. But the spina bifida is. I have a bunch of questions. For instance,…
Feeding Frenzy
Written on April 21, 2010 by Deborah
Both Corey and Jessica have some strange obsessions with food, and I don’t know how to help them. I had hoped that enough time in a stable, loving home would let both of them know that food is something they don’t have to worry about. But still it seems that they do. Corey’s and Jessica’s…
in Family Life, Feeding
Plug In The Saw, Lucille
Written on April 14, 2010 by Deborah
Ashley was cast today. Not for a play or a movie, but for those plastic orthotic things you see on the feet and ankles of many kids with physical disabilities. This was the third attempt at casting and finally, success was achieved. The casting process is almost exactly like getting a cast when an arm…
- Archives
- January 2015
- May 2013
- April 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
Powered By Headway
Go To TopAdministration Login | Home | Disclosure Policy | Terms and Conditions of Website UseCopyright © 2024 5 Minutes for Special Needs