We are told we are strong. That God chose us. That special kids go to special parents. We are commended, complimented, compared to saints. When society isn’t judging us in Target stores, it’s perching us upon dangerously high pedestals against our will, pedestals that prove wobbly on even the best of days. And we do…
Attitude Adjustment on Aisle 17
Trust me when I tell you that what came out of my mouth wasn’t at all what I truly wanted to say to her. But I was suspended in that fragile moment between trying to hold it together for the sake of my children and succumbing to the need to come apart at the seams,…
Hold On Mama. Hope is Here. (A Post Dedicated to an Autism Mommy “Desperate” to Hear Her Son’s Voice)
As a blogger, I like checking to see how people end up on my site using various search terms on Google (though some have me questioning topics I’ve covered here) but there’s one from today that particularly stands out and breaks my heart: “autism mommy desperate to hear child speak.” So, autism mommy, this one’s…
Thirty Seconds
The irony is not lost on me. Yesterday, while reading an AP article I was interviewed for about wandering and elopement among the autism community, I turned to my husband and asked that dreaded question: “Where’s Andrew?” We had been mere inches from him all morning, contained together in the close quarters of our living…
Undiagnosed: Still Searching for Answers
In August of 2010, we got the call from our pediatrician: “Andrew tested positive for cystic fibrosis,” she told me gently, and I imagined her kind eyes filling with concern as she heard silence on the other end. That call began a roller coaster of emotions for our family and set off a chain of…
Another Day, Another Lesson Learned from My Special Needs Son
Every Friday morning I head to one of my favorite places on earth: My therapist’s office. From 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. I sit on her couch and deconstruct my life in the hopes that I can discard the parts I don’t need and put back the parts that I do in a way that…
He May Have Broken His Toe, But if He Could, He’d Tell You He’d Do it Again in a Heartbeat
Yesterday our son Andrew participated in his fourth Surfer’s Healing event at Doheny State Beach. It was a gorgeous day, made only better by the beautiful sea of smiles from the kiddos riding the waves with the pro’s. When we arrived and Andrew realized what day it was (SURFING DAY!!!), he was so excited! He…