What Not to Say
I recently read a blog post from a woman about what not to say to a parent of a child with disabilities. I recalled thinking after I read the post – and I actually replied to it myself – that…
disabled kids
Early Morning Conversation
Sarah: Cackie’s eyes are open. Me: Yay Catherine! Let’s give her claps. Sarah: It doesn’t work. Me: What doesn’t work? Sarah: Her eyes. Me: That’s right. Her eyes are broken. Sarah: Yeah… She can’t see me. And now I know…
Magical Experiences for Disabled Kids
Wow! Some days you’re just thankful you got up and had the stuff on your calendar that was there. Catherine didn’t have an aid on Tuesday, so I got to play that part at school. I actually love the excuse…
A Collision of Importance
“NOOOOOO!” I heard myself scream at Sarah as I saw my favorite bowl crash on the floor in four or five chunky pieces. Her defiant eyes dared me as she raised it over her head. In a millisecond, it was…
The Observer
Am I “The Observer?” Catherine has what’s known as “stridor.” Basically, it’s a sound that comes from inflammation in her throat obstructing her airway just enough to produce a sound when she breathes. Sort of like an old man on…
I'm Reminded
I got an email from an old friend today. He’s many more years down the road than we are. His son has severe CP and just started college this fall. His son’s mind is as sharp as they come. And…
Tooth Fairy
I don’t care who you are, when your daughter loses her first baby tooth, it’s an event. Catherine’s lower left tooth had been wobbling in her mouth for a couple of weeks. But today, we finally determined it was loose…
If Everybody Had a Notion
Catherine got to surf! Yep. I haven’t even ever tried surfing. I wimped out in Tamarindo, Costa Rica for some stupid reason, but my five-and-a-half year old (cuz that’s how she’d say it) got to surf when we were on…
Special Education
We just spent 4.5 hours in a special education mediation meeting. I can’t write about the details now, but let me just say that if I had all the money in the world, I would make it my singular mission…
Smiles
My mom sent me an article about a girl in Charlotte who has a rare implication from jaundice. She was getting ready to have a surgery that would create deep brain stimulation to hopefully help control her chaotic movements and…