I remember being in high school and I had to take a health class. You know the one where you had to carry around an egg for a week to see if you can take care of a baby. One class, I remember had to carry a doll baby that cried every time you put it down. That was brutal to watch my friends do that. Well, you just read about all the training I had to be a mother. Yes, that is right, I had … [Read more...]
When the Disability’s Not So “Bad”
I feel guilty about a very strange thing. Not about something I’ve done, but about something I was given. Today, I want to hold my hand up and shield people from paying attention to this part of my life; here, in this particular community of parents who struggle daily with special needs, and never-ending vigilance. A few codes in our neurologist’s office indicate I’ve every right to be among you … [Read more...]
When God Gives You More Than You Can Handle
“God never gives you more than you can handle.” I see people type that around the Internet. I hear them say it to others. It’s plastered on t-shirts and notepads. As a special needs parent, I don’t believe it. You see, I’ve faced a lot I can’t handle over the last eight years. On my own, I can’t handle Aspergers syndrome/high-functioning autism, whatever you want to call it. On my own I can’t … [Read more...]
Why My Child Lord?
Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 Sometimes we say, "Why me Lord?" When we struggle we may question many things. With our children with various challenges coming at them daily you may have asked yourself, "Why my child Lord?" I am going to let out a little secret here ... I am nearing 50 in the next several … [Read more...]
The Googolplex of Disability, or, How Many Times I Have to Repeat Myself
I’m going to be honest. I took high school calculus because my best friend was taking it, and I needed to prove I was as smart as she was. I was very insecure, and what’s worse, I hated math. But I did get something good from all those numbers: a B- and a neat little tidbit: A “googol” is 10 to the power of 100. The “googolplex” is significantly larger: 10 to the power of a googol - 10googol, or … [Read more...]
5 Gifts I Hope to Receive During Autism Awareness Month
If I could set the agenda for Autism Awareness Month, here's what I'd love to see happen. April 1st kicks off Autism Awareness month and I have mixed feelings each year. I'm thankful for friends who wear blue and send their love to our family via social media and texts. I'm thankful for the extra attention autism gets on websites and news shows. I love making new friends at local autism … [Read more...]