My life has drastically changed since Jack. Sure, I went through some heavy stuff post-diagnosis. My mental health went down the drain, I was pretty sure I hated all of the human race, and I was insanely jealous of people who had “typical” children. As time went on, I learned—slowly—that the secret to my success…
Category Archives: Day In And Day Out
Just What is This “Normal” Stuff Anyways?
normal: adjective. conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural. In the Special World we constantly hear about “normal” benchmarks and “typically” developing children. Our children are often measured against the “normals” to get an idea or a glimpse into just how delayed they really are. I know the intent…
Friendships: The Lunch Bunch
The beginning of a friendship is innocent and fun. But as time goes on and we let down our guard we have to learn to accept others, faults and all or choose to move on. For a person with Down syndrome or other special needs, it is sometimes difficult to even begin the process. Others…
Can I Help You?
In the middle of another hectic week we finally had a chance to hang out after school and play on the playground. This is one of my few opportunities to see how my daughter is navigating through the social challenge that the asphalt schoolyard can bring to a kid on the autism spectrum. After a…
Let’s Talk About SEX
Long considered a TABOO subject, sexuality among the disabled is rising into public view because many special needs adults are enjoying an active sex life. As special needs parents, what should we know about this touchy subject? What can we do today to prepare our children for a healthy sexual relationship in the future?
I can’t control it, so why do I even try?
I stood there, my feet covered with soap and spit, thinking, Please, God, let this all be worth it someday. My crying, wounded-puppy-eyes kid spit the frothy contents at me because I washed out her mouth for saying “stupid” and “I hate you” to her sister. I constantly tell my kids they can’t just say…
Teachers Make All the Difference
Full disclosure: I am a teacher. My husband is a teacher. His Mom, sister and brother-in-law are all teachers. Just so you know that up front. But still…teachers make all the difference, don’t you think? We are blessed to live in a community where the schools are incredible. They are top-notch and so are most…
Scar Tissue
I recently came across some old CDs with photos from 2005 – 2006, I was delighted to find them, given our family photo history disappeared with my computer during the robbery. As I began to upload them to the new computer I found tears welling up in my eyes, I have to be honest it…
Her way.. One half turn at a time.
When Zoe was almost 5, I published an article about her differences, and the importance of raising her to believe she was ” just like everyone else” and capable of doing anything, her own way.. I wrote about the way my daughters danced together back then ” Dressed in matching dance outfits, feather boas and princess…
I Hate Being Late!
As the bird tweets, we miss a lot of fun activities! That’s because we’re always late to the party… literally! We’ve missed the better half of birthday parties, christenings, the walk down the aisle, the eulogy, the sun. You name it. We’ve missed it. Anyone else having trouble getting places on time since they had…