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…
Category Archives: Day In And Day Out
Don’t Forget An Important Part of Your “Thankful For” List
A Day to remember why you’re thankful. What you’re thankful for. Thankful for partners, the few (or more) supporters that surround you, jobs / careers, friends, insurance, making it this far in your journey. This year, this time, I encourage you to reach within, look within – to you. Inward to your strength, your drive…
Do You Wonder What Life Would Be…
When you watch other children, the same age as yours…when you watch other children in the movies, through the streets, wherever you might be, do you ponder? Do you compare? Do you wonder what life would be if only things were just a little different? Do you wonder what your largest struggles could be? Stop…
What a Difference
I’ve had emotional whiplash all week. Grandma is visiting us this week. In case you don’t know the significance of those words you can read the worst part of it here. I’ve written about our struggles with her before. Turns out she does not have Alzheimers or dementia, per se, but the neurological damage she…
I’m Not Special
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…
Pregnancy and The Gift of Advice?
Advice. We give it without thinking about it…unless it’s a touchy or emotionally charged subject, then every now and again we might stop for at least a moment and think about what advice we might dispense. Then there are some situations where advice is a given even if it isn’t wanted or needed. Pregnancy for…
Different or Fancy?
It was a relatively easy, but somewhat mind-numbing task to accommodate the child’s fixed preferences at her place setting. We don’t have quite enough “matching” flatware pieces to make it to the next dishwasher run. We tend to run out of teaspoons and case knives before plates and bowls. Over the years of combining two…
Book Review: House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Most people just don’t get it right. When they write for us, about us, or to us. When it comes to others’ view of our lives in families with special needs, I’ve never seen anyone show it like it really is.* The lack of realism, empathy (and appropriate gallows humor) is partly why I’m writing…
Thanksgiving
Oh, I know, it’s not even Halloween (quite) yet, but just like I’m sure you can find retail locations in your community that are a bit ahead of the game with the witches and ghosts keeping company with the Santas and menorahs, my heart is already set on Thanksgiving. Being thankful is good for you,…
Romanticizing Adoption and Special Needs
It’s tough being an adoptive parent. And a parent of special needs kids. I’m both. And today reminded me of one of the most frustrating aspects of our situation: other people romanticizing it. Sitting on a counselor’s couch at a residential treatment facility where one of our girls has been for 6 weeks, life doesn’t…