If I could set the agenda for Autism Awareness Month, here's what I'd love to see happen. April 1st kicks off Autism Awareness month and I have mixed feelings each year. I'm thankful for friends who wear blue and send their love to our family via social media and texts. I'm thankful for the extra attention autism gets on websites and news shows. I love making new friends at local autism … [Read more...]
My Normal Is Someone Else’s Worst Case Scenario
Last week my husband and I went to an autism support group meeting in the town we moved to a few months ago. Fourteen of us sat around a table, introducing ourselves and telling our stories. One of the moms couldn't get through her story without crying. Her son had only been diagnosed two months ago. I teared up with her, remember those early weeks of not even being able to say the word … [Read more...]
World Changers (Who Happen to Have Down Syndrome)
Down syndrome awareness month is almost over, but we didn't want to miss the opportunity to introduce you to these world changers who happen to have Down syndrome (I'm especially fond of one of them!). David DeSanctis- Actor, star of "Where Hope Grows" Madeline Stuart- Model, walked the runway at New York Fashion Week The campers at Camp PALS who are writing letters to new parents of … [Read more...]
The Importance of Self-Care for Special-Needs Parents
When life gets stressful and you feel like there's too much on your plate, what's the first thing that gets pushed off? Self-care. But I'm working to make it a priority again. This last year has been incredibly hard on our family. Just over the last few months we moved from Pennsylvania to Texas, my husband started a new job in a field he's never worked in before (one of those 8-5 jobs he's … [Read more...]
Finding Your Anchor in Times of Change
A few weeks ago we moved from Pennsylvania to the Houston, Texas area. We’re in a new house, going to a new church, and starting a new school. My son James (who has level three autism) is missing his favorite pizza place, Hershey Chocolate World, and the familiar faces he saw at school and church. It’s been tough. He’s struggled with anxiety through these changes. He tries to control anything … [Read more...]
What Is Your Faith in Today?
Scripture tells us of a desperate woman. Like so many of us who have tried doctors, therapies, supplements, diets, and tests, this woman was weary. No one could help her. And her issue wasn’t just a physical one. “And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spend all that she had, and was no better but rather … [Read more...]