I can’t tell you how many times, over my 32 year journey with autism, I have returned to this quote for inspiration: On July 4, 1999, a twenty-minute maelstrom of hurricane force winds took down twenty million trees across the Boundary Waters. A month later, when I made my annual pilgrimage up north, I was heartbroken by the ruin and wondered whether I wanted to return. And yet on each visit … [Read more...]
Bueller? Bueller? ANYONE?
“Joey, Joey, can you please get your shoes for work? Joey, Joey.” “Joey, time to brush your teeth. Joey, Joey…..” “Joey, let’s sit down for dinner. Joey, Joey….JOEY.” Honestly sometimes I feel like I’m talking to the wind getting him to move and do something I’m requesting! I know he hears me, but I don’t think I’m getting through. I am appreciative that Joey can walk, talk (a little), … [Read more...]
Is God Still Good When Your News Isn’t?
I read someone else's good news with a little bit of sting in my heart. All of the responses were filled with joy. (As they should have been.) More than a few read, "God is so good." Yeah, God is good when the news is good. But what about when the news isn't all we had hoped it would be? Is God still good when your news isn't? I hope people aren't thinking God isn't as good here because things … [Read more...]
To Push or Not to Push
Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. I went to a meeting yesterday at the University of Central Florida. It was a College and Career Planning meeting for my son. Yes, you heard me I was at a huge University checking it out and learning how my son can be included and go to college. Years ago, I wasn't hopeful that it would be a part of our … [Read more...]
Living with Special Needs, Uncertainty, and Thankfulness
I tried to write this blog for several days in a row but was uncertain what to type. Uncertainty seems to be a theme in my life these days. The main source of uneasiness in my family has been searching for an explanation for our daughter’s medical symptoms for 10 months—and then some. For 6 years she has felt poorly and then a year ago more critical signs of illness began to develop. So once … [Read more...]
My Child Is a Person, Not Just An Inspiration
I will be the first one to tell you that my children with disabilities have inspired me. My youngest daughter with Down syndrome has been my teacher of life in many ways. Every time my daughter with cerebral palsy falls down and gets back up it makes me think about the times I give up so easily in life. But my typical daughter has done that for me too, she has inspired me, she has pushed me to be … [Read more...]