We sifted through the pile of resumes looking for something to jump out and tell us who would be the perfect fit to become Ben’s primary caregiver. Oh, if only it were that easy. However, there were a few who had a decent amount of experience and whose skillset seemed a good match. There were even a few who had crafted an eye-catching cover letter that warranted a second look. With each of these … [Read more...]
Baby Stepping Across the Miles
I remember those first steps. So unsteady. So unsure. But so ready. Little chubby knees bending just enough to move sweet little feet forward by a couple of inches at a time. His diaper-padded bottom landing with a thud on the floor accompanied by a look of shock in his wide blue eyes. But with determination and tenacity, he clumsily stood back up, wavered for a second, then tried again. Sometimes … [Read more...]
You Really Like Me?
Do you remember the old Sally Field Oscar acceptance speech when she says, "You like me! You really like me!"? (Maybe I'm showing my age. Google it.) One day I said this to my son, Evan. He was being sweet to me and I said, "Evan, you like me! You really like me!" Aaand the rest is history. He now says this ten times a day to us. And he asks every single person he meets if they 'really like' him. … [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...]
Searching for an Oasis of Peace
A few nights ago, my father came over for dinner. Even though we have far too much on plate on any given day, we’re the only family who lives close-by so we try to spend time with him at least once a week, which just seems like the right thing to do since he is 99. As I sat down to a slice of Costco pizza (not a gourmet feast by any stretch), I yawned quite forcefully. My father innocently asked … [Read more...]
My Thanks to the Stranger
Years ago the grocery store was the last place I wanted to go with my son with autism. Now, it's the place I don't want to leave. I followed my son into the tiny grocery, his steps bouncing so high that I thought he might lift right off the ground. He dashed behind the counter and slipped off his coat so that everyone could see the store logo on his shirt. Max is so proud to put on that shirt … [Read more...]