Author Archives: Gina

Gina St. Aubin is a mother of 3, one diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, PDD-NOS, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (a rare epileptic disorder causing verbal aphasia) . A former Victim's Advocate turned advocate for those with intellectual and physical challenges, Gina believes being a 'Special Parent' means to discover, embrace, educate, advocate, encourage, treasure and laugh.

Among Construction, Kids Can Surprise Us

Since the day we moved into our home, 3 years ago, I’ve developed a love hate with the basement. I love it because it’s open, bright and enjoyable for a basement. Hate, because…well, it’s a basement and there was an undetermined scent that I would get whiffs of, that no one else seemed to get,…

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How Do You Discover What Ails?

At the very moment I write this, I have a headache. I’m not sure I ever really felt it coming, so much as finally acknowledged that it’s here. I recognized it. Acknowledged it. I blurted out to C, “I have a headache”. I just took some Tylenol. Then it occurred to me just how easy…

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Underestimating Our Children’s Awareness?

Do we underestimate our kids or are we spot on? This question has been floating around my head; though it’s not the first time I’ve had floating thoughts, nor the first time this one has made its rounds, it is at the forefront today. After our wedding fiasco (said lovingly and lightly), we had theories…

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Are Perseverations A Deeper Thought Needing A Better Answer?

I’ve learned not to look too deeply into what J’s thinking. Beyond what his needs are, what may cause or did cause a meltdown and how to keep him entertained and growing without meltdowns is about as far as I’ve gone. We’ve been in such a similar space with similar likes and dislikes for so…

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Filling Their Hearts With The Lights Of The Season

One of my favorite pieces of the holiday season is the lights and the sparkle, warmth and wonder they bring. I try to remember the awe I had as a child while watching my children’s eyes widen as we pass by in the early stages of the evenings. Since we aren’t usually out late, I’ve…

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I Hope We Can Stop EEGs Sometime Soon

Today we’re checking into Children’s Hospital for J’s biannual EEG. We’ve been anticipating this for…well, for about 6 months, since his last EEG so we can get a better grasp of what’s going on for him. His last EEG, July 21, 2010 showed him still having 50% of his REM in spike and wave activity,…

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Home Is Where The Jello Is

The two sides of J seem to be school J and home J. In school, J has one-on-one attention…well, mostly, but that’s another story. He has a strict schedule he follows, every minute of the day essentially accounted for. Though there’s a definitive concern for his growth and successes in academic and daily living goals,…

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Who Needs Sleep?!?

Sleep is for the Weak. Yes. Someone knew what they were saying when they developed that title for a book. For 6 years, we didn’t sleep. I mean…Didn’t. Sleep. That’s part of the unofficial, official symptoms of Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (epilepsy). For us, it means putting J to sleep for 2 hours, he wakes, tosses and…

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It’s Harder For Him

After the house quiets, order is restored and slumbers begin, reflection occurs. As the day replays, I think of what I could do differently, what meltdown triggers I missed, how I can be a better mom. Many times I find myself hitting full on the frustration of our life. The constraints placed upon us…how “we”…

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The Winds of Change Have Brought Us Here

“The winds of change….” Whomever wrote this line was unaware of its reach. For many, the winds of change have been far from subtle. Days previously filled with negotiating steps connected in a direction neatly if not roughly planned. Sights seen, destination set. Brightness abounds, formulations and readjustments or tweaks occur only as needed. You…

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