To follow up on last week’s post of what NOT to say to a Special Needs Family, I polled some folks to find out what you SHOULD say. You know, stuff that would be nice to hear? And this is what my special friends told me: What can I do to help? If you don’t…
Category Archives: Support
Too Many Friends?
When Peanut was born, we immediately contacted our local Down syndrome guild. When Peanut was a mere two weeks old, I attended my first Mom’s Night Out with other moms of children with Down syndrome. Very quickly I enveloped myself in the world of parents of children with special needs and found comfort in knowing…
5MSN Virtual Christmas Dinner!
Merry Christmas Eve!!! Welcome! Come on in! Let me take your coat…. Here’s a little squirt of hand sanitizer for you…. We have a beautiful dinner laid out for us…serve yourselves and enjoy! While y’all are eating, I thought we could all share a story of hope. After all, that’s what this season is about—hope!…
Our Bustenhalters
Did the title catch your eye? Ok well welcome, come in and lets talk 🙂 I want to talk about support systems. Do you know who your is? Have you ever depended on them in a moments notice? I guess you don’t know who they are till you need them the most. I’ve always been…
The 5MSN Virtual Christmas Dinner!
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how it’s the season… Social distancing, hand washing, and Lysol is plentiful. Guests to my home receive a warm welcome and a dollop of hand sanitizer before touching my son! I know many of you are in this situation too, and I was thinking about how much fun…
Lean on Me — A Caregivers Anthem
Music—the soundtrack of my life. Certain songs hold special meaning because they deliver a timeless message. The 1972 chart-topper LEAN ON ME by Bill Withers is one of those songs. Caregivers, listen closely. Then reach out for help when your load becomes too heavy to carry alone.
Hold My Hand
I’m sure I’m not the only one who takes Thanksgiving week as a chance to reflect on all the things I’m grateful for in my life. This year, the first year since my son’s official autism spectrum diagnosis, has not been an easy one. There have been more lows than highs. I’m well versed in…
The Winds of Change Have Brought Us Here
“The winds of change….” Whomever wrote this line was unaware of its reach. For many, the winds of change have been far from subtle. Days previously filled with negotiating steps connected in a direction neatly if not roughly planned. Sights seen, destination set. Brightness abounds, formulations and readjustments or tweaks occur only as needed. You…
Today’s Hero
Dear Soldier in Panera, We were waiting to grab a bite of lunch. Of course, we made it “to-go”, because Jack doesn’t eat and hates being around food. The line continued to grow, and you stepped in front of us to grab your order. My son, who is completely enamored by the “pow-pow men” (otherwise…
The Difference A Week Can Make
What a difference a week can make! Last week I was looking toward Monday with apprehension, even dread. We were all but certain that our little man was to be diagnosed with a rare bone disorder that would probably require surgery. Pessimists? Realists? I’m not sure. After 3 years of bad news, it’s sometimes hard…