Sad but true; some days I just feel like quitting. For nearly 35 years I’ve been caring for our son who has special needs (cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental delays, mental handicaps, and lots of allergies (some severe and possibly fatal, namely peanuts). Both my husband and I are on watch all the time. Where is he? What is he eating? What can he eat from what is being … [Read more...]
Table for 3, Please!
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...]
Not HOW but WHY
How many times have you and I have been asked, “HOW DO you do it?” We’d be rich if we had a dime for every time we’ve been asked that … right? Here is how I used to answer: Oh, the Lord gives me strength, just when I need it. We all learn to do what we’ve been called to do. You do what ya gotta do. Who else is going to do it? (Ok, that has a little attitude attached, can you … [Read more...]
We Knew Something Was Wrong, but It Turned out Alright
I didn’t know my son would have the challenges he has when questioned by a student (I taught high school at the time) whether or not I would “do” something if I knew the child I was carrying would have problems or if something would go wrong. That still small voice (I believe the Lord) whispered to my heart, “Be careful how you answer, because there is.” I explained to this well-meaning student … [Read more...]
“Whose Kid Is That?”
Behind your back, words overheard, or most hurtfully right to your face, you may have had someone say something that as parent of a child with special needs you wished you’d never have heard. No matter how you heard “Who’s KID is that?” it’s like a dagger in our hearts. TRYING to enjoy the Olympics….as a Family…. Joey was 15 (over 6’ tall and quite mobile!), our daughters 12 and 5, and … [Read more...]
When Quitting Is Exactly What Our Kids Need Us to Do
Sometimes I wanted to quit. Sometimes I actually did! I recall trying to teach Joey the colors red and white with towels I hung on the bathroom towel rack across from the toilet. While he sat to go to the bathroom, we would practice knowing his colors. NOT! For months and months I did this. For months he wasn’t potty trained (until after age 5, actually!) and he didn’t know his colors for a lot … [Read more...]