Many of you know that I have adopted 4 children from the foster care system. In fact, my newest son joined us just two weeks ago. I knew a long time ago that adoption was a path I wanted to follow. But, I also knew that foster care was not something I could do. The…
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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.
Compliance
Written on March 31, 2010 by Deborah
Compliance – no, not the legal kind – the kind that is expected of our children with disabilities. I feel that the level of compliance expected in our school systems for our children with disabilities goes well beyond what is expected of non-disabled students. One of my children is in gifted educational programs. He is…
Changing The World
I apologize for not writing this week, but my new son came home yesterday! We’re a little busy bonding at the moment. See you next week, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this video from DPAN, the Deaf Performing Artists Network. Deborah can be found writing here at 5MFSN every Wednesday, and can…
in Uncategorized
Happy Gotcha Day
Written on March 17, 2010 by Deborah
My life is about to change drastically yet again. Next Tuesday, a young man named Ronnie, will become my fifth child. Ronnie is fifteen years old. He has spina bifida, is paralyzed from the waist down, and is profoundly deaf. He also has the most beautiful smile in the world! I decided about six months…
in Family Life
Enough To Go Around?
Written on March 10, 2010 by Deborah
One of my greatest worries as a parent of multiple children is whether I spend enough quality time and give enough attention to each of them. As a parent of children with disabilities, this worry is greater than average, I believe. Ashley is my child that needs the most hands-on assistance. She cannot be left…
in Family Life
Never is not in our vocabulary
Written on March 3, 2010 by Deborah
One of my newer co-workers came into my office yesterday and saw pictures of my children. He asked about them, and being the Mom that I am, I went on and on. He’s probably sorry he asked. However, one comment he made really threw me for a loop. He said in reference to Ashley, “It’s…
Isolating
Written on February 24, 2010 by Deborah
Being a parent of a child, or children, with a disability can be an isolating experience. Friends who used to invite you out for a movie or dinner no longer call. New friends are few and far between, and those people who do join your circle of acquaintances usually have a child with a disability…
Always Having to Prove
Written on February 17, 2010 by Deborah
Ashley had an apointment with her audiologist today for a hearing test. It’s always seemed a little strange to me that a deaf child had to have a hearing test, but apparently my school district needs to see in black and white numbers and symbols to believe she really can’t hear. The appointment went well….
A Different Life
Written on February 10, 2010 by Deborah
Do you think parenting a child with a disability has changed you? Small changes or big changes? I wonder if my future would look completely different had I not been raising children with disabilities. I most definitely think it would. I would be less patient. I would not be as assertive. I would still be…
in Uncategorized
How Dare He?
Written on February 3, 2010 by Deborah
The following is a reprint from my personal blog from almost two years ago, and I am still struggling to find appropriate dental and orthodontic care for my daughter with special needs. Have any of you run into something similar – medical professionals who feel your child with special needs has less of a need…
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