Posts Tagged ‘boy’
A Touch of Kindness: The Story of a Lost Stuffed Chicken and Restored Faith
Sometimes it feels like the world is against us. A constant fight for what my son Lucas needs and deserves. And then there are times I’m reminded that’s not always true and our faith is restored. We experienced an amazing act this week and it may sound so silly to some. But it was absolutely everything, especially to this sweet boy. Lucas has a worn out and well loved stuffed chicken. Many in Lucas’ world know how special she is to him. A gift, almost 8 years ago, from Lucas’…
Read MoreFinding Shared Understanding: Care for the Caregiver Retreat 2023
A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Care for the Caregiver Retreat in Minnesota, put on by the More Than a Project and Finding Cooper’s Voice. It’s hard to put into words the sense of camaraderie and love I experienced during that time. When my son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder three and a half years ago, I withdrew into myself. Even before the diagnosis, our family had become isolated. Going out in public became a challenge as I couldn’t bear the judgmental stares…
Read MoreA Simple Card, an Unforgettable Gift: The Impact of Inclusion and Support
There is a memory I often share about Mother’s Day. In fact I think it’s even in my book. It impacted me so deeply. So much so that I’m still talking about it 10 years later. My son Cooper is the one who first made me a mom. Today he is 12 years old. He has a diagnosis of severe nonverbal autism. I like to tell the moms and dads of newly diagnosed children that it takes time. Every part. Acceptance. Understanding. Advocacy. It all takes time. Ten years ago,…
Read MoreTwo Brothers Side-By-Side
I’m raising two boys side-by-side. There is barely two years between them. When I found out I was pregnant with my second son all those years ago…I had plans. Big ones. Visions. Expectations. Best friends. Teammates. When the oldest was diagnosed with severe nonverbal autism it all changed. Ever so slightly at first. Than greatly over time. They didn’t play together. They didn’t even acknowledge each other. But time…it has a way of healing and growing. Understanding comes. Loyalty. Love. Devotion. And advocacy. Tonight I watched the one with no…
Read MoreBelieving in Progress: A Brother’s Love
Tonight my older son Cooper and I went to his 10-year-old brother’s baseball game. We were armed with a blanket, a chair, an iPad, hotspot, snacks, a drink, and talk of a visit to the fire station this Saturday. And belief in a boy with autism. Belief in progress and hard work. See he is 12 years old. He doesn’t care much for sports. But he sure loves his brother. He stayed for 1 hour and 45 minutes. I saw almost every inning. I saw my son catch. I saw…
Read MoreMy Son Saves Me Everyday
I want to tell you about a boy. He is ten years old and his name is Sawyer. In my book I say he saved me. The story goes onto share how my heart stopped beating during active labor with him. I came back for him. So he would be okay. I knew he needed me to live for him. But it’s more than that. He’s saved me countless times since then. I spent the last 72 hours with hundreds of moms. Moms like me. And Sawyer stood by my…
Read MoreSomeday you will Leave Sweet Boy
On particularly emotional parenting days I’ll watch them sleep. Sharing a bed. Neither one acknowledging the other one until bedtime. 8:30 will roll around. Sawyer will still be in the backyard hitting baseballs or riding his bike over a jump with his friends. Like clockwork, Cooper will look around, grab his blanket with one hand, put his other hand on his check to mimic sleeping and say, ‘SSSS-AH-ER.’ ‘You want Sawyer buddy?’ He’ll say yes and point upstairs. I typically take him up and get him ready for bed while…
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