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Please, spare me the sympathy

Written on May 24, 2010 by Ellen

I was at an event this weekend where I met some other bloggers. Several times, I was asked what my blog is about, and what Max’s special needs are. “He has cerebral palsy,” I would say, matter-of-factly. “I’m sorry,” they’d inevitably respond. This is the whirling dervish of thoughts that goes through my head when…

in Cerebral Palsy, Dealing With Public Perceptions

- 5 Comments

The boob tube and our kids

Written on May 17, 2010 by Ellen

7 Comments

Kids aren’t supposed to watch more than two hours of TV a day, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics. I’ve always wondered, though, if that time recommendation should be less for kids with special needs. Watching TV probably isn’t doing their brains much good, even if they’re so-called educational programs. I use the TV…

in Cerebral Palsy

- 7 Comments

No, we don’t have special needs cooties

Written on May 10, 2010 by Ellen

12 Comments

I was at an event the other day with a bunch of bloggers. I struck up a conversation with another mom; when I mentioned my blog, she said, “Oh! I know that blog! I read it.” Pause. “But I don’t have a kid with special needs.” Grrrrrr. Why oh why did she have to mention…

in Cerebral Palsy, Dealing With Public Perceptions

- 12 Comments

My better half

Written on May 3, 2010 by Ellen

3 Comments

I’m sitting in the car pecking this out on my BlackBerry. We’ve just fed the kids dinner, en route home from a weekend at the beach. “Are you going to tell everyone how well I feed Max?” Dave asks. “Yes!” I say. I’m dedicating this post to Dave, my better half. He really is a…

in Cerebral Palsy, Family Life

- 3 Comments

How do you get the stress out?

Written on April 26, 2010 by Ellen

11 Comments

This weekend, I was feeling kinda stressed. I had a lot of work to do, Max had a cold and was getting whiny, and I’d had barely any time to myself all week long. So I made Dave take the kids out for lunch so I could have the house to myself. Being alone in…

in Cerebral Palsy, Day In And Day Out

- 11 Comments

The challenge with babysitters and our kids

Written on April 19, 2010 by Ellen

10 Comments

We tried a new babysitter this weekend. I was having a garage sale Saturday morning, and we needed an extra pair of hands around to help with Max. So the daughter of one of our regular babysitters came by. She’s 25, and works at a daycare. She charged us more than we pay her mom…

in Cerebral Palsy, Day In And Day Out

- 10 Comments

Those little moments of awe

Written on April 12, 2010 by Ellen

3 Comments

This weekend, it was glorious outside, and we went to a playground on Sunday, one we hadn’t been to in a couple of years. I watched in awe as Max dashes across the basketball court; he wasn’t running the last time we were here. I watched in awe as Max tried to climb the stairs…

in Cerebral Palsy

- 3 Comments

Pardon me while I go tear my hair out

Written on April 5, 2010 by Ellen

5 Comments

My seven-year-old has a new thing he’s been doing: He screeches when he gets upset. I mean this long, drawn out screeeeeeeeeeech that’s like fingernails-on-a-chalkboard. Just to me, mind you. It doesn’t bug my husband. It didn’t bother our friends who came over to visit this weekend. It doesn’t bug the babysitter. Just. Me. I…

in Cerebral Palsy

- 5 Comments

Pushing our kids past their comfort zones

Written on March 29, 2010 by Ellen

1 Comment

Last week, we were on a Disney Cruise/Disney World trip. Max loved Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the Disney gang (princesses included!). He had a blast at the Kids Club on the boat. He adored the monorail. He enjoyed the safari at Animal Kingdom. He went on the Speedway race track at the Magic Kingdom too…

in Cerebral Palsy

- 1 Comment

Which personality traits get you through?

Written on March 22, 2010 by Ellen

7 Comments

We’re away on a Disney adventure as you read this, first a mini cruise, then a few days at the park. Last time we were at Disney World, two years ago, Max refused to go on any rides except the race-car track in the Magic Kingdom. He was terrified of everything else. Even “It’s A…

in Cerebral Palsy

- 7 Comments