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
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
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.
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
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
“We can do it,” said my unflappable 10-year-old daughter. It was hour 30 of the blackout caused by the southern Ontario ice storm and the four of us had slept together on the third floor. My husband, who had to go to work, asked if I wanted him to carry Deane downstairs. My husband had … Continue reading
Why on the weekend before Christmas have I barely begun my shopping? Because I spent most of last week not in stores but stuck at my computer filling out forms. One was already late: our application for Deane’s ski “lessons.” A year after our winter-that-wasn’t, we are going to put Deane’s reconstructed hip to the … Continue reading
I have to admit I was feeling pretty positive. This was one appointment I wasn’t worried about. Yesterday was our follow up visit to the feeding clinic. Five months ago, they were the ones who had put Deane on the track to his g-tube. Although I had been very hesitant, I think Deane adapted first … Continue reading
As she stood at the podium in front of a packed audience, she confessed she wasn’t sure she could do this. But once she started, Stella D’Silva was fine. After all, it was a story she knew in intimate detail. It was about her child. It was a success story. With her son Alex at her … Continue reading
“…if you fuel a child’s innate spark,it will always point the way to far greater heights than you could ever have imagined.” This line is part of the conclusion of The Spark: A Mother’s Story of Nurturing Genius written by Kristine Barnett about her autistic son, Jake. The book, which … Continue reading