I was at an event this weekend where I met some other bloggers. Several times, I was asked what my blog is about, and what Max’s special needs are. “He has cerebral palsy,” I would say, matter-of-factly. “I’m sorry,” they’d inevitably respond. This is the whirling dervish of thoughts that goes through my head when…
That trip to Idaho that got me on this whole “help Matthew find a girlfriend” campaign
A while back I told you that Matthew wanted to go to Spokane, Washington and Idaho. I never told you how the trip went. Here goes: As soon as our plane landed at the Spokane Airport, we picked up our rental car and started our journey, listening to Roy Orbison, the Beatles and Jimmy Buffett…
Sending up an S.O.S.
So often we are focused on our own children and their struggles that we forget about the struggles of others. Guilty. And most often, we forget about keeping our own lives balanced. I came across this video by one of my favorite motivational speakers, Renee Bondi, and I wanted to share it. Here is a…
Time to Clean the Toilet, Sweetums
Disciplining a teenager is difficult for me, especially when the teenager needs lots of discipline. I don’t believe in corporal punishment so hitting them is not an option (that and the fact that they are bigger than me). Confining me to my room was a technique used by my parents, but in this day of…
Special Exposure Wednesday.
Somedays I just wish things were different for this girl. Even though her body is testing her right now, she always finds good in the day. Ivy – the girl who is sure she was born to be a fairy mermaid princess, practices her magic. Got something to share? Why don’t you join in this Special…
The boob tube and our kids
Kids aren’t supposed to watch more than two hours of TV a day, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics. I’ve always wondered, though, if that time recommendation should be less for kids with special needs. Watching TV probably isn’t doing their brains much good, even if they’re so-called educational programs. I use the TV…
Facilitating friendships with the opposite sex-Step Two
When we left off last week, I was telling you how tired I was of telling Matthew that he will meet a nice girl “someday.” I developed a three step plan to help him. I’m aware that I will need to add many more steps along the way, but I thought it was best to…
We are not alone.
As I was sitting on the floor next to the crib on the eve of Mother’s Day, watching my son struggle to breathe, I wondered how many millions of moms had been in that very spot before me. With me.
In how many homes, hospital and bedrooms were we watching over our sick kids?
Rolling Along, Just Faster
My son needs a new wheelchair. The one he brought from his foster home feels like it is going to just collapse in a heap at any moment. The brakes constantly need adjusting – it shimmies and shakes – the arm pads are way too close to the wheels – and I worry about my…
Special Exposure Wednesday
The art of present hiding is a sacred tradition in our house. Too bad the newest members of the club would rather open the gifts instead of salting them away. Here is the small girl (with plaits – I can’t believe her hair is long enough for plaits) seeking out a good hiding place for…