August is Special Needs Parents Appreciation Month. My friend and fellow dedicated mother, Sandra Peoples, founded this 31 day observance in 2015. And while her intentions were noble, there are sadly some in the adult disability community who roll their eyes at this annual observance. They regard such a celebration as public martyrdom and contend that the parents aren't the ones who are truly … [Read more...]
When Your Holidays Don’t Turn Out As Expected
You followed all of the advice. With tenderness and care, you purchased all of the tagless clothes and made the sensory-friendly accommodations. You examined all of the lists for the best Christmas toys for children with special needs. And you made dietary choices that would best suit your child's restrictions. STILL your holidays aren't as you expected. Relatives Anyone who has taken even a … [Read more...]
When Your Church Doesn’t Miss You
It all began with a rush to the emergency room after school. I called friends from the car asking them to notify our church. I prayed that my triage at home was incorrect, that I was just being overly concerned. Unfortunately, testing revealed that my worries were well-founded. My son was having a life-threatening internal bleed in his hip area. He was hospitalized while a plan was formulated for … [Read more...]
Are You “Ghosting” Your Child?
"Mom! Mommy! Mama! MAAAAA!" On top of that, it does something terrible to my child. It shouts right back, “You AREN’T important to me.” I am telling my child that her needs aren’t a priority. Her concerns are insignificant. I don’t care. Epiphany My eldest child, now in college, unwittingly brought this to my attention recently. She described what she is learning in one of her communications … [Read more...]
Back to School, Back to Uncertainty
Is your shopping done yet? Have you nailed the best deals on all of the supplies on your child’s class list? Is the smell of new athletic shoes and fresh clothing purchases permeating your house yet? While it all sounds so hopeful, if you’re house is anything like ours, there’s a slow, sickening churning of the stomach beginning. Back to school feels as uncertain it does exciting, especially … [Read more...]
7 Tips For Summer Gatherings
Please tell me I am not the only one who cringes with mixed emotions about summer get-togethers! I love the warm weather, time outdoors, and opportunities to connect in a relaxed setting. Still, I know these reunions, weddings, graduation parties, and family picnics will get my children's diagnoses to be noticed in ways I would rather forget. I fight dread anticipating the comments from … [Read more...]