One of my newer co-workers came into my office yesterday and saw pictures of my children. He asked about them, and being the Mom that I am, I went on and on. He’s probably sorry he asked. However, one comment he made really threw me for a loop. He said in reference to Ashley, “It’s…
Category Archives: Dealing With Public Perceptions
How Dare He?
The following is a reprint from my personal blog from almost two years ago, and I am still struggling to find appropriate dental and orthodontic care for my daughter with special needs. Have any of you run into something similar – medical professionals who feel your child with special needs has less of a need…
Autism and police cars in the driveway
I’ll never forget the first time I saw a police car pull into my driveway. Matthew was 13 years old, and had wandered from home to a bike trail down the street. Passersby noticed him cutting a large branch with a small but threatening pruning saw and called the police. Luckily, the officer that showed…
We Need Black Jello
Comedian George Carlin said, “You know what we need – black Jello.” Think of the fun you could have if you served black Jello for dessert one evening! Something totally unexpected can add a special brightness to a day. In fact, as human beings, even though we seem to fight change, we also seem to…
Should You or Shouldn’t You?
My children and I were shopping at one of the big box electronic stores this weekend when I saw a lovely family – Mom, Dad, and two teenaged children. One of the children had Down Syndrome. What gave me pause was that Mom was walking through the store holding the hand of the teenager with…
First attempts at socialization
One of the things that we are starting to feel is necessary is for Hannah to start socializing with other children around her age. We don’t have any friends with young infants, so the only real experience she has had are friends of her brother and sister, who are obviously older than she is. We…
People are listening…and watching
I woke up the other day (did I mention I’ve been getting up early?) and found this text on my phone: You are a rockin mom. And then I read below: Thanks to me paying attention to you I was able to handle a lost Autistic child. This was from my very good friend whom…
Come Chat With Us In Real Time at SnazL.com
Almost a year ago I wrote this post about advocacy and building bridges between those who have children with special needs and those who don’t. Have you ever wanted to tell the world about your child with special needs? His hopes? His desires? What you wished parents of typical children knew and understood about a…
Confession: I still get sad when other kids ask about my kid
“How did Max get that bump on his brain?” That’s my best friend’s five-year-old talking. It’s how my friend explained Max’s disabilities to her. It’s Saturday, and we are driving in our car; Max is actually in my friend’s car, because he thought it would be fun to trade, and her daughter is riding with…
not an invisibile disability
She’s turning five this fall. She’s forty-three inches tall and growing like a weed. On the outside. On the inside, she’s a toddler. She wears diapers. She is slowly emerging from the parallel play stage. Following her sister around like a shadow. Getting into cupboards and flushing toothbrushes down the toilet. She flits from places…