I feel like I no longer have to pretend that I am the same as any other mom walking down the street. Because to be honest, I have spent an awful lot of time trying to convince myself of that. “Hey, I’m the same as you. I’m no different. I want the same thing for my son as you do for your children.”
Category Archives: Dealing With Public Perceptions
Your Thoughts?
I need your advice. This past weekend, my boys and I took a trip to Baltimore and left Ashley at home with her aide. The aide has been with Ashley for five years, so I am quite comfortable with the two of them spending the weekend together. Here is a picture of Ashley and her…
Beach Chickens
One of Ashley’s favorite things to do at the beach is to feed the seagulls. I’ve taught all my children from a very young age how to throw food to one seagull, and almost instantly 20 more will appear. We’ve fed them from hotel balconies – we’ve fed them while we were on the beach…
Definitely NOT a Poor Thing
Why do most people say “awww, poor thing” when I tell them of Ashley’s significant disabilities? I admit that when I list all her issues, it might seem like she has a daunting job just existing each day. But I honestly don’t believe, and I think Ashley would agree with this assessment, that her life…
Please, spare me the sympathy
I was at an event this weekend where I met some other bloggers. Several times, I was asked what my blog is about, and what Max’s special needs are. “He has cerebral palsy,” I would say, matter-of-factly. “I’m sorry,” they’d inevitably respond. This is the whirling dervish of thoughts that goes through my head when…
No, we don’t have special needs cooties
I was at an event the other day with a bunch of bloggers. I struck up a conversation with another mom; when I mentioned my blog, she said, “Oh! I know that blog! I read it.” Pause. “But I don’t have a kid with special needs.” Grrrrrr. Why oh why did she have to mention…
Those Who Understand, and Those Who Don’t
I read a post yesterday from one of my favorite bloggers, Jess at Connor’s Song. While the post was primarily about Jess’s nesting instincts and the new daughter she and her husband are adopting, she shared some of the comments people have made about that adoption. Those comments, most of them insensitive, really struck a…
When autistic behavior is misunderstood
Update: Since the post was written, Smockityfrocks has issued an apology. I believe that it is a sincere apology. While I wish the overall situation here hadn’t been so hurtful, I am proud of my fellow special needs Mamas who had the courage to stand up and advocate. If you choose to leave a comment…
Compliance
Compliance – no, not the legal kind – the kind that is expected of our children with disabilities. I feel that the level of compliance expected in our school systems for our children with disabilities goes well beyond what is expected of non-disabled students. One of my children is in gifted educational programs. He is…
Didn’t your mama tell you that staring is rude?
I’m at a birthday party with Max at a friend’s home. It’s really crowded and Max is darting around, uneasily. I’m trotting behind him in case he loses it but keeping a safe distance because I don’t want to baby him. As I follow Max, I notice a few moms staring at him as he…