Category Archives: Advocacy

Educating the Medical Community…

So many times, as I’ve said before, we confuse the line between being ugly and being an advocate. Being an advocate is rooted in being educated–therefore, we are then prepared to educate others. Unfortunately, the loud, brash family is also going to get the attention (and they’ll do it claiming advocacy). This is not advancing…

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I don’t baby my children

I recently had a visit with my grandmother who was visiting Ontario from British Columbia (to bring you up on Canadian geography, BC is on the west coast and Ontario is practically in the middle of the country) Being the nice granddaughter I am, I drove 5 hours to go see her in Ottawa. Let’s…

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Your stress is killing you. Here’s how to fight back.

We’re a stressed-out group of parents. I sat with jaw dropped and tears flowing down cheeks as I watched the documentary. A UCSF expert in cellular aging was explaining that special needs moms were one of the best groups to study the negative effects of chronic stress on the human body. Her colleague, a Stanford…

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The ThiRd Rail

I’m still trying to figure out twitter. Can’t decide if it’s really useful for me or not. I’m trying out HootSuite which makes it more accessible, but still kind of overwhelming. Anyway last night as I was scrolling through the most recent tweets two words jumped out at me. Perhaps they would have jumped out…

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I Am That Tiger

I originally posted this years ago when I blogged under the name “Mia Hysteria”…yes, you know, General Hysteria. Don’t go looking, that site is no longer up. I’ve since come to peace with our family’s life and what was that blog’s purpose is no more. Digressing…. But this piece still holds true for me. Does…

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Giving Back

The first few years in Precious’ life were pretty hectic. During the first year, she sometimes had 4 appointments a week, and I had a 2 year-old and a 3 year-old at home with their own activities and appointments. Now that Precious is in the Primary Special Needs class for next year, and the other…

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Love Can Build a Bridge Between Your Heart and Mine

What is it about the wheelchair that attracts people? Some times it’s the looks but other times there are full blown conversations with people the randomly say things (not all bad!)  My first outing with my son and his wheelchair was to a restuarant. I was meeting a friend for breakfast. We were eating and…

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We All Want the Same Things

I attended a gathering of parents with special needs children a couple of nights ago. There are a lot of things stirring in our community that bore discussion, but this phrase, spoken by one of the Dads there stuck in my head. We all want the same things… Our children may be different in various…

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Thank YOU!

You know who you are… your the mom that most can’t relate to, the mom that takes her job seriously. The mom that’s misunderstood more than understood. The one that stands up for what’s right and wrong. The one that is the child’s first teacher and strongest advocate. You are the REAL EXPERT of your child….

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MAY 6 SEMINAR: Meeting the Educational Needs of Children with Down Syndrome

REGISTER NOW! MEET AND DISCUSS EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AND BEST PRACTICES WITH OTHER LOCAL MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME! 1-day Seminar THIS Friday, May 6 @ Queens College, Flushing, NY Meeting the Educational Needs of Children with Down Syndrome   Amazing Opportunity to see Dr. Sue Buckley, Researcher with Down Syndrome Education International, present the best practices…

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