“Thundering. Sleep with you?” He’s 40. We move over and he slides into our queen sized bed because we are just too tired to make more of an effort; but if we can muster up the energy, one of us walks him back to his room (upstairs) and will sleep with him for a while until the storm subsides. It might seem weird that a 40 year old will want to be comforted by us; but you must think “age 3”…then it … [Read more...]

Waiting. Sitting. Waiting and more sitting seems to be the life of the special needs family. Whether it’s in the doctor’s office, hospital setting for various therapies, or a gazillion other venues for which we can’t just hop in, get in line, and be like most everyone else; waiting is the challenge. The other challenge is getting the office staff not only to hear you but understand you. The … [Read more...]

Sometimes when I’m driving, my family sees more than for which they bargained. Asked if I’m lost, I’ll say, “No, I’m not lost. I’m on an adventure!” I point to the great view of the parking lot where I just turned around or the scenic views from a series of gas stations where we’ve stopped to ask directions. Sometimes I’m frustrated, but if I’m not too off course or too late, I consider it an … [Read more...]

I'd like to have us consider that our first line of thought should be: Let's CONNECT!!!! Let’s start out in GENERAL, and in REAL LIFE. This blog is for every single one of us, and also for those friends on the special needs Unexpected Journey, these tips and ideas will work very well for you as well…(think teachers, IEP’s, meetings, doctors, etc.) but this will work in all relationships…so join … [Read more...]

Moms (and probably Dads, too) are constantly analyzing in the rearview mirror of life what we did right and wrong. I’m not going to even out my list here, but I can tell you I have worked very hard at being an intentional and “always there” mom. Due to that very fact, I have had much opportunity on the road of life and our *Unexpected Journey of special needs life to make plenty of mistakes. For … [Read more...]

The child was about 12 years old and weighed about that many pounds or a few more. As a young high school aged student I didn’t know how to relate, respond, or inquire about my friends sibling that I was seeing (not meeting) for the first time. I’d known my friend for at least 3 years, and not once did my friend mention this sibling. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. It was my first … [Read more...]