My yellow labrador Callie likes me, but she doesn’t love me. She’ll cuddle with anyone in the family but me, and it really bothers me. We think it’s because I am the one who puts drops and ointment in her right ear when a recurring infection starts bothering her. My husband, Peter, suggested that she…
How Dare He?
The following is a reprint from my personal blog from almost two years ago, and I am still struggling to find appropriate dental and orthodontic care for my daughter with special needs. Have any of you run into something similar – medical professionals who feel your child with special needs has less of a need…
Special Exposure Wednesday.
IVIG day and port day. She looks tiny in that huge infusion chair. Always courageous though – they had to reaccess her four times yesterday, before the silly thing would flush and she didn’t even cry. I think if it were me, I would be howling. Got something to share? Why don’t you join in…
And yet more special needs Mommy confessions
• I have moments of absolutely insane worry that include things like, “If terrorists blow up our state, where am I going to get seizure medication?” • I sneak omega-3 oil into Max’s Wheatina and wheat germ into his chocolate pudding and when he looks suspicious I make it like everything is OK. • I cannot…
Helping Your Child Communicate: Voice4u
Parents of children with special needs know the heartache and frustration that often accompanies trying to provide their child with the services and care needed for their child to lead a healthy and productive life. Yumi Kubo is one example. Yumi Kubo, is the mother of a 15-year-old autistic son, and the founder and CEO…
Autism and police cars in the driveway
I’ll never forget the first time I saw a police car pull into my driveway. Matthew was 13 years old, and had wandered from home to a bike trail down the street. Passersby noticed him cutting a large branch with a small but threatening pruning saw and called the police. Luckily, the officer that showed…
To You, My Beautiful Deaf Daughter
This video from D-PAN (Deaf Professional Arts Network) says it all… Deborah can be found writing here at 5MFSN every Wednesday, and can also be found at Pipecleaner Dreams.
How do you handle those “when?” moments?
I’m having one of those days when the “whens” are on my mind. By that I mean: When is Max going to regularly use both his hands? When is he going to pick up more words? When is Max going to toilet train? When will he feed himself more regularly? When will he dress himself?…
Matthew Shumaker: Rock Star
Have I mentioned how much Matthew likes Roy Orbison? He is actually obsessed with him and it is all my fault. About a year ago, Matthew went through a stage where he listened to Van Halen’s version of “Pretty Woman” over and over and OVER again. I suggested that if he loved the song so…
Getting Personal
One of the more frightening aspects for me of having a child with significant disabilities has been the hiring of personal care aides. I’m so very grateful that Ashley has aides, but finding and retaining really good people is daunting, to say the least. Personal care aides assist a person with a disability with many…