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Camp countdown

A week from today, I will be waking up wondering how my son’s first night at camp went. Up until now, his first overnight camp without the family has been a distant, almost theoretical topic – something we referred to but didn’t dwell on. It’s now time to start labelling clothes, checking packing lists and … Continue reading

Time for recognition

OK, so it was a bit long and repetitive. It was the same pattern over and over again. There were many people to thank and pictures to take. But none of us regretted the morning we spent in the school basement. When you’re the parent of a disabled child there aren’t many occasions to celebrate … Continue reading

Happy 16th Birthday Deane!

You’ve changed my world in so many great ways. Love you Dude.

Wanted: personal camp counselor

I don’t know where the last two months have gone. It seemed winter would never end and now we are hurdling toward summer. The school year has been a blur of over scheduled days and weekends that are barely a blip in the frantic pace. My kids, of course, are counting down the days to … Continue reading

A different kind of independence

It happened by chance. I’d love to say it was a thoroughly researched, well-planned and perfectly executed piece of parenting, but it was none of those things. As I have written many times, we have been struggling to help (or push) Deane to become more independent (Pushing recreation, Why am I doing this?). He began … Continue reading

On the floor with the Raptors

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to the Toronto Raptors’ shoot around before their game. We got to meet some of the TV announcers – big personalities in our household. Leo Rautins tweeted out this picture of the kids. Got to meet some special fans today – Deane and his sis Rayne – they … Continue reading

Where people know your name

Sometimes you want to go  Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. For people of a certain age, these lyrics immediately conjure up the TV show Cheers and an overweight man walking into the bar to be greeted by the staff shouting his name. Reminiscing about eighties TV shows is not my … Continue reading

World Down Syndrome Day

What is life like for a child with Down syndrome? It isn’t like the depressing stereotypes. This moving video is the response to a mother who is expecting a child with Down syndrome and is scared about what the future holds. Watch it and let go of your assumptions about Down syndrome.

“Bedside” manner without compare

Conventional wisdom says you should always make sure your doctor and your lawyer are younger than you. The theory is that as you get old and, yes, die, they will still be around to take care of you and your affairs. That’s a little more complicated when you’re talking about your pediatrician. Let’s just say … Continue reading

Neither snow nor cold ….

A Message arrived recently in my inbox about changes to the Canadian postal system. It was urging me to sign a petition against the proposed elimination of door-to-door mail delivery. The plan is to move those who still get individual delivery to a “super box” – similar to mail slots in an apartment – somewhere … Continue reading