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…
I was desperate for sleep
Define Sleep: A natural periodic state of rest for the mind and body, in which the eyes usually close and consciousness is completely or partially lost, so that there is a decrease in bodily movement and responsiveness to external stimuli. During sleep the brain in humans and other mammals undergoes a characteristic cycle of brain-wave…
An Open Letter to the Doctor
Dear Doctor (you can insert name here), I promised that this year I was going to be the kinder, gentler version of myself. Until I sat in your office. My appointment was at 8. You sent the resident to subdue us at 9:15. Said resident obviously doesn’t know the ABC’s of nursing/medicine (Always Bring the…
He’s a Little Runaway
Regardless of the fact that the title of this post conjures up images of bad eighties Bon Jovi music, Ian is a little runaway. He’s an eloper. He tends to “wander off”. But only at home. Ian has never, ever been content being boxed into one space for too long. He would leave his room…
Songs of Love review
Songs of Love is a non-for-profit organization that makes free CDs for seriously ill children. As a music therapist and a caring individual who knows people benefiting from this kind of service, I have contacted them a few times. Though they often advertise that they make CDs for children who have cancer or other serious…
Building Lasting Friendships
Everyone needs friends. However, making friends isn’t always easy and for our children it can be even harder. Sometimes our children have behavioral problems that cause other children to shy away. Sometimes there are communication problems, either with the lack of communication or with speech that is difficult to understand. As parents, we often have…
Where’s the Line?
I realize I’ve been writing here for several weeks now without really introducing myself or my daughter. I haven’t written much about her specific challenges or my responses to them. I guess I expected all of this to come out more naturally, but there’s a hang up — which I’ll explain shortly. Our daughter is…
She Is Their Best Friend
She is their best friend. I see it in their faces, hear it in their play, watch it in the way they fight over the smallest piece of junk, determined that their need to treasure this particular item is deeper than the other. Then, just as easily, one gives in. One notices the tears of…
Is Your Medical Team Super Bowl Bound?
Without blocking, receiving and tackling, even the most talented quarterback will be on the sidelines during the Big Game. As special needs parents, we are on a team with the medical professionals who care for our children. What position do we play? How can we make our team Super?