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…
For Hire: One Special Needs Child to be a Tour Guide at Disneyland
Remember that story that was trending a few weeks ago about a bunch of rich folks paying for a special needs tour guide in order to obtain a Disneyland Guest Assistance Pass? You know, that pass that special needs families get as a “perk?” The one that makes their visit to the happiest place on…
Outrunning Andrew: When Our Children with Autism Wander
Those beautiful eyes. That radiant smile. Hers could be his and as I stare at the photo of Mikaela Lynch, a beautiful little girl with autism who wandered from her family home on Mother’s Day last year and lost her life in a creek nearby, I think of all the near misses we’ve had with…
Advocacy and Asshats
Sometimes, I’m tired. Sometimes, there are days when I don’t want to put on my big girl panties and my Cloak of Advocacy (which, if you must know, is made of the softest velvet and the perfect shade of green to accentuate my eyes) and go out into the real world and shake my fist…