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…
Category Archives: Dealing With Public Perceptions
Why Not Ask?
In my 47th ranked state (in services provided to people with disabilities), it seems that most children and adults with developmental disabilities love going bowling and to the mall. The love of those two places starts early – grade school ‘community based instruction’ almost always involves a trip to either a bowling alley or a…
Special Exposure Wednesday ~ Our New Blog Button
Please join me in congratulating Shannon of Gabi’s World as the winner in our first Special Exposure Model Search Photo Contest. Just in case you have not met her, I would like to introduce Gabi who is up there snapping your photo from our new blog button. Too cute. Also join me in congratulating the…
Next On The Pre-Natal Extermination List: Autism?
In an article written for the New York Daily News, Valerie Karr, a Ph.D candidate , and a disability advocate, dishes up some interesting food for thought. *92% of unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome are now aborted in the United States. *A survey of mothers in the Journal of Pediatrics found that physicians were…
Expecting Too Much?
Unfortunately the conversation related below actually took place. And even though it was five years ago, it probably won’t surprise some parents that not much has changed. I am so very tired of all the school battles, yet this school year is starting off that way yet again. Maybe that is the school district’s strategy…
Building Bridges
We’ve seen the looks. We’ve heard the comments. We’ve witnessed the pity as you have compared our child to yours. And released a sigh of gratitude. At times it seems as though there is not a line drawn, but a wall built, between us. Between those of us whose children are labeled as disabled, and…
Please Don’t Leave
I’ve read posts by several bloggers recently on the subject of lost friends – people who leave your life once you have a child with disabilities. I’ve experienced that also, but it began before my dear Ashley ever joined my family. When I shared with my friends and family that I wanted to adopt a…
Take Two Minutes. Save 100 Lives.
If you could help save a child’s life with just a few clicks of your mouse and two minutes of your time , would you? Reece’s Rainbow is an organization that is very near and dear to my heart. The goal of Reece’s Rainbow is to save the lives of children with Down syndrome who…
RTFM
Again this morning, I had to explain to the aide on my daughter’s school bus that my daughter is deaf and blind. The explanation came after that aide said in a very helpful voice of normal speaking volume “Hi Ashley, do you need help?” The aide seemed a little annoyed when Ashley did not answer…
Plays Well With Others
Yesterday Parker had the opportunity to play with a couple of friends, who along with their parents, stopped by for a quick visit. My heart soared as I watched Our Brave Hero butt hop over to join in the playing that was happening in our family room. Parker has decided that hanging out with friends…