For the first 20 years of my life, rain was something to be avoided. Not that rain wasn't a good thing, it just wasn't something human beings engaged. If the weather report said we were going to have rain all day, it was a day off from school. No, the schools didn't close, but it was as if they did, for both students and staff are likely to be missing. And this was warm rain, since the average … [Read more...]
Plagues of People, Safety in Numbers
Children on the autism spectrum usually fall in one of two camps when it comes to their feelings about crowds: crowds are either an audience or a plague. For Jesse, crowds are an audience. He loves to mug, and show off, and recite what he knows about things of no interest to the listener. For Noah, crowds are a plague. This makes it a challenge to plan a wedding when both boys are also a part … [Read more...]
You Do You, Special Needs Parents!
I have been chided for sharing too much information about my son and his needs. There are people who say, "This is his story to share. That is, should he choose to do so." Little do they know, our stories are tied pretty tightly. Then there is the flip side. There are those that want to know the whole scoop. Anything and everything. They think I'm not sharing enough. … [Read more...]
Rescue from a Sea of Stress
This is a story of rescue from a sea of stress... As so often happens, the Scripture readings in today’s daily devotional don’t just speak to my heart, they SHOUT OUT LOUD. From Psalm 88: “I am overwhelmed with troubles…” My husband Wally and I have known for a few weeks that our 31-year-old son’s day program is closing its doors next March. Day programs that fit Joel’s unique … [Read more...]
Stuck On Repeat (The Special Needs Repetition)
* Some names have been changed. You know why. Almost every day my husband purposely sings a song with the intention of getting the tune stuck on repeat in my head. It's usually something obscure and fairly terrible. (Shhh. Don't tell him I secretly find this endearing.) With the exception of Friday. On Friday I can count on him waking the whole house with Rebecca Black's fabulous and memorable … [Read more...]
I Wasn’t Given a Mom Manual
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...]