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disabled families

This tag is associated with 104 posts

Looking into the future

It isn’t a conscious thing. It’s just become a habit, a form of protection against disappointment. Walking by displays for service agencies, the first thing I do is scan the pictures for people with walkers or wheelchairs. It is surprising how seldom the displays meet my criteria. I recently attended a forum put on by … Continue reading

Riding alone

It is very strange to be sitting here at 3:30. For 14 ½ years, 3:30 has been time to drop what I was doing and meet the school bus. Since my son was in preschool, he has taken a school-sanctioned bus twice a day and my day has been regulated by that bus. The arrival … Continue reading

Unexpectedly moved

I’m not a weeper. I rarely cry at movies. Kind, thoughtful actions don’t send my ducts into overdrive. I leave weddings dry-eyed. But, in the midst of a conference about science and cerebral palsy, I found tears leaking out under my glasses. I hadn’t heard a great medical break through, it was a song dedicated … 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

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