Why is everything getting harder as Emily gets older? I thought things would get easier. Why is finding caregivers harder? Why is finding medical providers harder? Why is finding a dentist harder? These are the recurring thoughts that cycle through my head. I have loudly shared the long saga of trying to get a new wheelchairContinue reading “The Hard Road Led to a Great Team Asset”
Category Archives: Intellectual Disability
Hard is the Path to Memorable Moments
There are so many things that I would love to do with Emily. There are places I think she may enjoy experiencing. Sometimes, I contemplate taking her on adventures to do some of these things. I think about taking her to a movie, a show, or a concert. I am really good at talking myselfContinue reading “Hard is the Path to Memorable Moments”
Disability and the Church: Our Family’s Story
When I was pregnant with Justin, I met a neighbor who was pregnant too. It turns out our children were due less than a week apart. We became fast friends. One week she invited us to attend her church. Todd and I had never attended church together in our marriage. I would go alone atContinue reading “Disability and the Church: Our Family’s Story”
Intellectual Disability and the Dreaded Question: Is She in Pain?
Fear. Panic. Helplessness. Those are the feelings that swept over me as I lifted my daughter up from the toilet seat. There’s so much blood. I cleaned her up and washed my hands. I grabbed my cell phone, took a photo of the bowl (really), and sent it to Todd. He helped calm and groundContinue reading “Intellectual Disability and the Dreaded Question: Is She in Pain?”
The Gift Of Unlearning: Raising a Child with Intellectual Disabilities
I remember the day Emily was born. She came along twenty-two months after her brother, Justin. It was such an easy delivery. The doctor barely arrived in time to catch Emily as she emerged from the safety of my womb. I remember teasing the doctor that she shouldn’t get paid to come in just inContinue reading “The Gift Of Unlearning: Raising a Child with Intellectual Disabilities”
Different Path and Different Journey
“Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow.”-Vincent Van Gogh Cradled in her arms is her first grandchild. At two months of age, Wyatt craves the comfort of a warm embrace and the sway of arms that hold him while he sleeps. As I watch Patti gently rocking Wyatt toContinue reading “Different Path and Different Journey”
Disability, Communication, and Covid
This week we all tested positive for Covid. This has been challenging for our family. We usually work as a team. If one person is down, another can pick up the slack. (Think Brené Brown’s GAP plan.) Well, we are all down. This would be okay if we could all retreat to our corners andContinue reading “Disability, Communication, and Covid”
What? That’s Not a Disability
Don’t do it. Don’t do it. My mind recalls a reel on Instagram, “Girl, don’t do it!” You don’t share your thoughts on these things. It is better to let it go. If I don’t say something about this, who will? What are you afraid of? Being controversial? Making someone upset? Remember that thing weContinue reading “What? That’s Not a Disability”
Time Lies
It’s only an hour, I thought. How can an hour be so disruptive? I was on a Zoom call with Bobby Kountz this weekend and he was discussing Timelines and said Time “lies”. He was discussing how we often take time for granted. We postpone things until something happens or changes. We tend to kickContinue reading “Time Lies”
Conversation for Change 