As we start that holiday shopping let’s support businesses that either provide employment to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or are owned and ran by a person with a disability. If you are like me, or my own friends and family, I am sure you want to support and give back to individuals who are doing amazing things. Keep reading as I introduce you to five businesses that are setting the bar and shining a light on the meaningful contributions that individuals with disabilities give to society. Happy holidays…
I was chatting with someone from my previous life the other day and it got me thinking how much I have changed. We chatted about life, work, relationships, and kids. I say previous life because I am simply not the person I was before autism. As I settled into this new life it chipped away at me piece by piece and I fundamentally changed as a person. In fact, it changed my entire outlook on life. The things that mattered just didn’t anymore. I quickly learned what was important and…
My son got spelling words yesterday. They came home in his backpack. He is a sixth grader in a self-contained level three autism program at our local middle school and this is the first time he has had educational homework type work sent home. When I saw the words, the list, tears immediately sprang to my eyes. Which surprised me. See, I am not much of a crier. I’m not the only anyone would call emotional. But, those words, on a piece of paper in his folder, they symbolized something…
We are a family that lives autism. My son Cody is 22 and has autism with speech delays. Everyday is the same day as before. It’s like being on rewind over and over and over. It’s a place I never knew existed. This place that seems so far away yet it’s our life — our reality. As I sit here reflecting and repeating words back to my son as he says them (something that needs to be done for him to move on) I realize I’m in the same place…
One day, a friend asked me “what is the hardest part of being a sibling to a brother with a disability?” Without hesitation I quickly answered, living in fear. Still to this day, even at 38 years old, I have the same exact fear as I did in my sunflower decorated room when I was eight. What happens to my brother if something happens to my parents? This is my deepest fear, one that comes with so many factors. But I don’t really talk about it. Like… I fear that…
I have four kids. They range from 1 to 11. And while they are all carbon copies of each other visually, they are each very unique. When I describe them I often say my Cooper, he sees people. He has the gift of sight that most will never have. I describe my Sawyer as being an old soul. He is thoughtful and kind. My baby, she is stronger willed than any human I have met in my life. And she’s unbelievably smart. She runs this house at 17 months. And…
This morning I drove my middle son Sawyer to school. He typically rides the bus but he wanted to donate a handful of toys to the toy drive his school was holding so I drove him. ‘The toys go to Children’s Hospital mom.’ He was adamant about bringing presents. As we drove he asked me a zillion questions. As a mom, I’ve learned that some of the best conversations happen in the car. After asking me about multiplying 8’s and 9’s and something he saw on YouTube, he said, ‘mama,…
I’ve learned as I’ve aged that the biggest, most memorable moments of our lives, are often the ones we least expect. Of course a wedding, the birth of our babies, an anniversary, are the best. But other ones sneak in. When you least expect them. A solo car ride with your son. A walk with your aging parent. Staying up way too late drinking wine with your husband. Coffee with a friend. Or when your first born watches his first ever movie, start to finish, with your family on movie…
When it comes to parenting a child with a disability, there are parts that we as parents share. But there are some parts that we don’t talk about. Respect. Dignity. Maybe because we don’t think to share it. Or because maybe no one will believe us. Or it’s just our norm. This morning I found myself doing something that me and my husband do daily with our son Cooper. We don’t talk about it anymore, unless there is something of note. He is 11 years old and has a diagnosis…
The number one question I get asked is, do you want more kids? It’s a very tricky subject. It’s something that I struggle with daily if I’m being honest, something I’ve intensely prayed about. I’ve always loved the idea of a bunch of kids running around. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted six kids. I wanted to adopt two and birth four. I didn’t grow up wanting to be a foster parent. Actually, that desire didn’t come until much later in life. But God opened that door…
