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Author Archives: Heather P

Heather is a mom of two, wife, and nurse educator doing what she can to save the day! She lives in Orlando where she is routinely spotted driving while singing ABBA--all on a mission to advocate and educate!

How Not to Talk Behind My Back…

Written on January 27, 2012 by Heather P

25 Comments

When Jack was first diagnosed, I was horrified. Depressed. Had major anxiety attacks. Cried for hours. Somewhere around Jack’s second year, I felt myself changing. I no longer longed for the green field across the fence–I was OK with the patchy grass holding one perfectly beautiful flower in my own yard. So, I started writing…

in Advocacy, Ask the Parents, Dealing With Public Perceptions

- 25 Comments

On Validation…

Written on January 20, 2012 by Heather P

6 Comments

So, we are finally settling in and making life work. Part of that means we had to get all Jack’s records and get them transferred to new physician’s here. That was a ton of fun. (rollllllls eyes) However, the most interesting thing happened. We took Jack to his new GI on Friday and she… listened….

in Advocacy, Dealing With Public Perceptions, GI

- 6 Comments

The Little Things

Written on January 6, 2012 by Heather P

6 Comments

(The moving truck arrived so there are currently giant men and 497 boxes all over my house. Jack is in a corner screaming, and the dog peed on the floor. Such is life, eh? Needless to say, I’m reposting again. I PROMISE to write new stuff next week–you know, when I can feel my legs…

in Adoption, Cerebral Palsy, Laughing Through The Tears, PDD, Sensory Processing Dysfunction

- 6 Comments

Signs of the Special Needs Mom…

Written on December 30, 2011 by Heather P

157 Comments

1. When attempting to dress up, for the rare occasion that you are leaving your house for something other than a doctor’s appointment, you notice that your makeup expired in 2006. 2. You use the makeup anyway. 3. Not only do you use the makeup, but you add water to the dried up mascara and…

in Day In And Day Out

- 157 Comments

Holiday Carols Were Not Written for Us

Written on December 23, 2011 by Heather P

8 Comments

I have to tell you, I am a huge sucker for holiday music. I love hearing it while I shop in the grocery and when I’m in the car. I dream of falling snow flakes and cozy fires. I actually know all the verses of many traditional hymns and get mad when artists don’t sing…

in Autism Spectrum, Cerebral Palsy, Developmentally Delayed, Family Life, GI, Holidays, Laughing Through The Tears, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, ODD

- 8 Comments

Mom Hair

Written on December 16, 2011 by Heather P

11 Comments

I am, not by a long shot, a fashion maven. Most days, I rock the t-shirt and jeans look.Some days, I’m lucky if I get to wash my face (showering is clearly not happening on a daily basis!). Up until recently, I haven’t cared how I look (seriously, I tried to water down mascara that…

in Day In And Day Out, Holidays, Me Time, Stress Relief

- 11 Comments

The Weary Woman..

Written on December 9, 2011 by Heather P

12 Comments

The other day, I was overcome with emotion when I read what our friend Tammy said on her blog. (I’ll wait for you to come back…) This is such a sensitive topic. And one that is so often overlooked. We, regardless of situation, are still human. We have bad days. We have moments when we’re…

in Advocacy, Cerebral Palsy, Day In And Day Out, Dealing With Public Perceptions, Stress Relief, Support

- 12 Comments

The Dos and Don’ts of Moving With a Special Needs Child

Written on November 25, 2011 by Heather P

8 Comments

So, as you know, we’re moving. We’re not only moving, but we’re moving to another state. Last week, we went to our new location, and attempted to buy a house. I happily sacrificed nearly all of my patience, and probably most of my hearing, just to bring you the list of things you should and…

in Day In And Day Out

- 8 Comments

I’m Not Special

Written on November 11, 2011 by Heather P

2 Comments

While you’re reading this, I’ll be at the hospital waiting while my son has a procedure to check on his feeding tube and its mysterious issues. I got the prerequisite call asking me for his medical history, confirming phone numbers of my other emergency contacts, and going over his plethora of medications. The nurse and…

in Day In And Day Out

- 2 Comments

Families

Written on October 28, 2011 by Heather P

6 Comments

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…

in Ask the Parents

- 6 Comments