Posts Tagged ‘disability’
Thank You to the Businesses that Think About the Disabled Community
Before I entered the world of autism, I was oblivious to a lot of things. I foolishly assumed that all kids went to restaurants, and used public restrooms and even transitioned from riding in a cart to walking. I didn’t know that some children are deathly afraid of automatic flushing toilets and hand dryers. I didn’t know that some parents are unable to go into gas stations or even go through drive thrus. But the biggest thing that I never even gave a second thought too…was public restrooms. It never…
Read MoreWe are Parents First
In the summer of 2020, I developed hives. It started with one on my hand, then a couple on my arms, and the next thing I knew…my whole torso was covered. The current heatwave, of course, wasn’t helping but having been in the air conditioning, I knew that wasn’t the cause. It was at the point of no return, the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet were riddled with splotches of itchy red bumps, that I called my local urgent care. A telehealth visit with a…
Read MoreTo the Mom of a Child with a Disability this Mother’s Day
I am thinking about you today. I want you to know that everything you do matters. When you crawl into bed at night, aching from your temples to your toes, know that you have done enough. There may have been no progress made with toileting, feeding therapy or communication today and that is okay. Your child is safe and so loved. The weight of hectic schedules, parent trainings, OT, PT and visits with every other MD in-between can feel suffocating. The research, the meltdowns, the battles over chicken nugget brands…
Read MoreAwareness Days Shouldn’t be the Only Days We Talk About Disabilities
Today is World Down Syndrome Day. I am going to make a statement that I know is controversial. People may come at me in the comments. But anyone that knows me knows I am honest, sometimes to a fault. I hate disability awareness days. Wait. Before you take your shock and disgust to the comments, let me explain. I have built my career, my character, who I am and what I stand for, on advocating for those with disabilities. All individuals with disabilities. Not every disability has an awareness day.…
Read MoreTake a Chance on Me
There’s a viral article out that highlights a young man (Ryan Lowry) in Virginia on the autism spectrum who has penned his own letter to a future employer asking for an opportunity to work. He highlights the wonderful IT skills he has to offer any company. He also points out where he needs mentoring. But if given the opportunity, he knows he can contribute to any company willing to work with him. “I promise that if you hire me and teach me, you’ll be glad that you did. I will…
Read MoreDear Boardman Board of Education, Which Kid Would Have Mattered to You?
Dear Boardman Board of Education, Which kid would have mattered to you? Which kid in your eyes would have made the staple to their head be classified as abuse? My fear is the incident in Boardman, Ohio is setting an example that abuse is only abuse when it happens to a certain kid. So, as a sibling to a brother with a disability, a parent of two boys, and a former special education teacher – I ask, which kid needs to have a note stapled to their head for it…
Read MoreAn Open Letter to the Bullies of the World:
Dear Bullies, I wish I could say there is probably a reason for the hate in your heart but I won’t be able to do that. Your tough childhood or the excuse that hurt people in return hurt people are reasons wasted on me. You see there comes a time in our lives where we need to stop blaming others for the way we are and start learning from the difficulties of our past. YOU though are in a class of bullies all by themselves. The kind that would target…
Read MoreDo You Ever Wonder?
“Do you ever still wonder what he would be like if he didn’t have Down syndrome?” She asked. It was an honest question from a new friend. She is several years behind me in this journey of parenting a child with Down syndrome. I vividly remember being where she is now. I remember feeling like the odd one out amongst family and friends- I was the 20-something who had a child with a disability. I watched as their children hit the milestones at the appointed time on that now dreaded…
Read MoreGaining Perspective in my Life
Our lives are so narrow in experience. We understand most clearly the circumstances we are born into and the experiences we acquire over our lifetime. Yet there are so many variables that can shape our lives. Immigrant status, skin color, religion, socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender orientation, disability, addiction, abuse—we are shaped by these factors. Prior to being a mom, I identified as a middle class American Jewish woman. I experienced some religious discrimination in school which left me with a desire to explore diversity. I wanted to make room in my…
Read MoreHow To Use The Right Words When Talking About Those With Disabilities
It was freshman year of high school. I was sitting in English class and I overheard someone calling their friend retarded. Yes, almost 20 years later, I still remember every detail of this day, down to who the person was and what he was wearing. “Hey find a different word!” I yelled at my classmate. The class got quiet. Waiting to see what would happen next. As a high school student, my approach wasn’t the best in advocating for those with disabilities. “Why because your brother is retarded?” the freshman…
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