I used to flinch every time I heard these phrases come out of some well-meaning person: You’re so lucky! You got your girl! I have all boys. You’re so lucky you have a girl! I love having girls. You are going to LOVE having a girl! I flinched because in my mind, I was thinking…
Pssssssst. Hello?
Is this thing on? This is my first post for 5 Minutes for Special Needs. I figure before I get into the nitty gritty posts, I’d introduce myself and my family. My name is Cheryl. I have a husband- Adam- who I’ve been with for 10 years and married for 5 years. We have 2…
Chance
What are the chances you will have a child? What are the chances you will have a healthy child? When I was young I never thought about these questions much, I just assumed I would have a child one day and it never even crossed my mind that “health” of said child would ever be…
Time Discovers Truth
Before I became a mom, I did everything at high speed. My long legs galloped through airports, trade shows, malls, corporate hallways- purposefully propelling toward my destination. I assessed people too quickly, rushed through conversations, and often missed the simple beauty of everyday life. Fast forward years later, when my second daughter Zoe was 5-…
To Write Love on Her Arms Day
According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the leading causes of disability, with approximately 121 million people suffering with depression worldwide. The National Institute of Mental Health states that approximately 18 million people suffer from depression in America alone. Depression does not discriminate across age, race, gender, or class. Among teenagers it…
Adoption Awareness
November is Adoption Awareness month…which I am sure you all know! Did you know: My little man is adopted? We got him when he was 5 weeks old. It wasn’t the perfect situation. There was a whole lot of drama involved. Drama between a birth mother and a birth father who didn’t want anything to…
You Don’t Need to Feel Sorry For Us
One things that saddens me about having kids with special needs is when folks tell you that they are “sorry” your children are disabled. I don’t mean to be ungrateful! I appreciate their concern, I really do. It’s just that I don’t consider my children a burden (Sure, they are HEAVY. They ARE finally gaining…
A Note from the Musician Mommy
Working in the special education field can be challenging at times, but I have never looked at it that way. And it’s no wonder why: I grew up in a household with a child who required special education. Except, her education didn’t seem weird or outcast-like. It totally made sense. I guess it was because…
Bedtime And Goals
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m new here. It looks like I’m currently the only father blogger here so you might find some different ideas coming from me. My oldest daughter has Cerebral Palsy. It would be considered minor to moderate. She currently walks with braces and she had an SDR selective dorsal rhizotomy…
Special Exposure Wednesday
To a doctor, she is an immune deficient, auto immune diseased, adrenally suppressed female, with MMP (multiple medical problems). She has cushingoid features, has severely decreased growth and Ectodermal Dysplasia. To me she’s just Ivy, beautiful, vibrant, sassy and strong. I like my description better. Got something to share? Why don’t you join in this Special…