Serving others for some is daily 24/7 to those with special needs; for others serving family (kids and grandkids) as needed; but what about when the caregiver can’t give care and is out of commission? That happened to me last month. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital with immobility from a back issue that has interrupted life and caregiving from time to time over 42 years. Upon dressing … [Read more...]
“THEY SEEM FINE TO ME”
“I don’t see anything wrong with that child.” Give it 10 minutes; give it an hour. Take some time to be with “that child” or for that matter, “that adult” to be able to discern what makes them different and what it is about them where they excel and where they can’t quite make it in life. So many disabilities, illnesses, and diseases are not “visible”. Children with mild … [Read more...]
SCHOOL SMARTS
We often think school is all about our kids; and a lot of it is, but a lot also rests on us as parents. As parents of child with special needs, our attitude, and the way we approach teachers and situations is very important. While we are many years post school, there were a few things that we found helpful and we hope you will to: Don’t deny that your child has special needs. Make your … [Read more...]
“Leave Me Alone, Please.”
Assistive communication technology was a big help for our son along his way in school and at his past 15-year supervised work experience. For the purposes of some not knowing what this means, a communication device means cell phones, personal digital assistants or combination of both or any other device used to communicate, send, or transmit any text, video, audio or image. Not really talking … [Read more...]
My Passport to Traveling
Special Needs puts a particular challenge to travel depending on our child’s needs. Our son Joey (age 41) has always been a quite good traveler but could be (for the full duration of a trip) distracted, side-tracked, and out to get that one fly that is following us around. Ask us about it sometime! And we’d love to hear your story, because we are pretty sure you have one (or more!) While there … [Read more...]
Can We Really Be Refreshed?
Hot days, no rain, and my flowers were wilted and exhausted; bent over and looking depleted. Taking my sprinkling can outside filled with fresh cold water, I gave every flower a good drink as the day ended and shade covered them. Even before the morning sun, I could see those flowers starting to come back to life; but the next morning they were alive, perky, and pretty! If only getting … [Read more...]