This week is full of fall festivals, and we're scheduled to attend a few. While this usually doesn't bother me, I have some reservations this year. We've had a rough month with a major plumbing project, both vehicles in the shop for repairs, illness, and the accompanying financial stress. As a result of the drama, my daughter has experienced some regression, especially in her sensory processing … [Read more...]
Why Me?–God’s Spiritual IEP For Me
Like many special needs children, my son has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) at school. At present, it includes a 1:1 shadow aide who supports him exclusively throughout the day, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy. Is it fair that my child gets a free bus ride to and from school, while hundreds of other parents must jockey in queue on a single-lane driveway to … [Read more...]
Run To Jesus
On a recent trip to the beautiful Southern USA, we passed through Savannah, Georgia. This was our first time to this beautiful city, but our time was short, so we decided to take a trolley tour of the city. We boarded the vintage looking trolley and enjoyed seeing the many squares and historical sites this city holds. One stop on our tour was Forrest Gump’s bench where he sat with his box of … [Read more...]
God Is Enough
This week I'm visiting the vast, remote South Dakota country where we lived when our son was born. I'm driving on roads that look like they stretch out forever over miles and miles of short grass prairie in a county with more pronghorn antelope than people per square mile. Each day, I fight an irrational urge to travel the long miles between the tiny town of Camp Crook, where I am staying, and … [Read more...]
Identity And Worth
I realized today how sheltered Ethan is and I like that way. This world is full of cruel people who don't understand things. For example, going to the dentist today. Ethan was jumping and flapping in the waiting room and people were staring. I’m certain they weren't happy that Ethan was screaming at the top of his lungs while their child was getting their teeth clean. Ethan goes to school, … [Read more...]
Just A Piece Of Paper?
A marriage certificate. Divorce papers. A Do Not Resuscitate Form. An adoption certificate. A will, deed or pink slip. “Just a piece of paper”? Hardly. At the moment of issue, each irrevocably impacts the life of the recipient, and ripples out into the lives of everyone surrounding. On August 20, 2004, a 4×6 sheet of paper leveled my life, when a pediatric neurologist scribbled … [Read more...]