The first thing I noticed about Kayla is her big blueberry eyes. She has the biggest, bluest eyes I have ever seen. When she smiles, they just seem to light up. The fact that she has Down Syndrome just seems so secondary to who she is. Get to know Kayla more in her mom’s own…
Category Archives: Raising Awareness
Thrive with Autism – Tips for Those Looking to Understand
Andrea Richardson and Andrea Warner are two teachers who want to help parents Thrive With Autism. We love these tips from www.ThrivingWithAutism.com that they are sharing; both for parents, and for the community who is trying to understand Autism. Have you ever been in a store, movie theatre, or, yes… even an elevator, and your…
Dyslexia Awareness Month
October is Dyslexia awareness month. Did you know that Dyslexia can manifest in different ways? My oldest daughter, who is 17, has Dysgraphia…you only see the signs of dyslexia in her writing. When she was younger; letters were backwards, her handwriting was very difficult to read, and her spelling was VERY unconventional. My youngest daughter,…
To the Author of The Anonymous Note Left On My Car Window-
I think I recognize you! I do.. I used to live in your world of Black & White, everything in order- in it’s place- I got a plan- got a schedule- a list of finished projects- checked -off checklist and all. How wonderful for you that your life is so structured, so dependable and predictable…
Helping Siblings Deal with “Survivor” Guilt
A month ago my 8 year old entered a residential treatment facility. Three weeks and 6 days ago, my 9 year old began to feel horrible about it. No matter how hard things had become at home with her little sister’s behaviors, her absence brings anxiety. Partly because said 9 year old has challenging behaviors…
Overcoming Compassion Fatigue In Your Family
There’s a new diagnosis on the block. This time, it’s for us – the parents. A few months ago, I wrote about a must-watch stress documentary for special needs parents. Yesterday, while visiting my daughter at her residential treatment facility, I discovered a term that explains what we face even better than stress. Compassion fatigue….
What To Do When Your Rope Breaks
My little girl is finally safe in a hospital – a mental hospital – and I’m losing my mind about it. I know some of you have kids with special needs of the neuropsychological kind, too. This post is for you. You know those moments when you wonder where God went? Because if He was…
What I Wish…
I came across an interesting article today. And by interesting, it made me roll my eyes and sigh audibly for my husband to say “what is your problem?!” The article in question can be found here- “What I wish parents knew”: Doctors, teachers, therapists, and more weigh in. If I had opted for a longer title,…
The Sand Trap
I met a mom at the park the other day. Somehow I don’t think we’ll be new best friends. It all started when my kids decided to play in the sand area, and I settled in the shade with my book. The child asked if I had brought her bucket and shovel and I told…
The Value of Life.
…”The hard part is trying to answer the questions Walker raises in my mind every time I pick him up, What is the value of a life like his — a life lived in the twilight and often in pain? What is the cost of his life to those around him? … If Walker is…