“My son has a job here,” I said in a much too loud voice, loving the sound of it. “So we have a family membership.” The girl behind the counter scanned my YMCA card. “My son got this for me, because he works here.” I almost couldn’t help repeating myself. I knew I sounded like one of those older women…the ones with the multi-colored tracksuits and cloth visors who constantly refer to their … [Read more...]
What’s Wrong With The Boy?
I knew he was too big, but only by a few years, and a few more inches. The bright red yardstick on the side of the ball pit made it pretty clear that my then 14 year old was to be sidelined. As I let go of my son’s hand, I imagined people looking at Max as if he were King Kong swinging from the top of the McDonalds Play Land tower while all the other moms and tiny children stood below covering … [Read more...]
Drenched
Since autism, my life has somehow careened into the twilight zone and my to-do list has gone from cute comments on post-it notes to a scroll requiring two small gnomes to transport it from one room to the next. I try to imagine if there is a way to use my time more efficiently - to wake earlier, to go to bed later, to take coffee as an IV drip. But there is only one of me. And my time feels … [Read more...]
9 To 190
“Max is here,” my son said on cue and immediately ran to the bathroom. The receptionist smiled at me and called out, “Hi Max.” But Max was already busy with his primary goal…a full examination of the bathroom fan system. It’s a Braun fan, in case you were wondering.Nurse Sally led us into an examination room and began asking the list of questions that has become so familiar with each yearly … [Read more...]
Line In The Sand
Not this time I can hear it in stereo. One side of the sky is cracking, snapping under the pressure of changing temperatures. And now it comes from the other side, fighting for territory, growling and groaning and barking. I run to shut Max’s window, but I can’t get close enough. The yard outside becomes brilliant white, lit up as if the paparazzi have finally found us. Raindrops turn hard … [Read more...]
When a Doctor Asked Max’s Caregiver, “Don’t You Want a Life?”
We walked into the office together and Max plunked down in his usual chair. Max couldn’t wait to get through the “talking part” of the doctor’s appointment so that he could play with my iPhone. I introduced the doctor to Kacey who had joined us to help with Max during the appointment. Kacey is 23 years old, and a gifted teacher. And let’s just say that if Kacey had been born in another era, you … [Read more...]