We thought our retirement years would allow for some nice romantic dinners for 2 and while it wasn’t where we saw ourselves in our early marriage, somehow all these years later, we think a romantic dinner for 3 works for us. We’ve come to realize that sometimes, if we want to get out for dinner, we simply must make the effort to go, and take our adult son with special needs along. It wasn’t plan … [Read more...]
Thankful for the Disability Trenches
Nobody is thankful for the disability trenches. No thank you for wiping rear ends way past the expected age range or getting hair pulled out during a meltdown. I don't see the praises for IEPs that haven't really changed in years because the level of learning is pretty much the same year after year. And no Hallelujah for when high school is finished for the virtually unemployable. We only hear … [Read more...]
Bitter or Better?
I can remember it like it was yesterday. The sassy, obese mother of a teenage boy on the autism spectrum, sitting there each week as her son’s adaptive aquatics class overlapped with my young son's session -- We would chat on occasion. She was always so snarky, spouting off about her useless husband, her irritating teenagers, and the limitless ways life had done her wrong. I swear there was a … [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...]