Wil had a very hard morning. He would not get out of bed. Would not budge. Usually I tickle his feet. He laughs, sits up and says, “Hug Mom!” He loves high school so even if he’s tired he is typically happy to get up and go. This morning was a throw back from the … Continue reading With a little help from my friends
Wild Cards & Wild Hairs
Picture day was today. Last night Wil took a shower in preparation, and spent extra time choosing a shampoo. I heard him talking to himself as he smelled each one. “Ewww! Too strong. Hmmm, this is old. Mmmm, smells good.” With his sisters gone to college, Wil can safely use what they’ve left behind without … Continue reading Wild Cards & Wild Hairs
Time to Share the Mic: Authenticating the Voice of Disability in Film
Should people without disabilties play parts in film of people with disabilties? There have been some impressive performances of such cases. But then I thought, if Wil were an actor, would he be hired to play any part but of the person with Down syndrome? That would be summed up in two letters: NO. And … Continue reading Time to Share the Mic: Authenticating the Voice of Disability in Film
7 Minute Standoff
Yesterday Wil and I had a 7 minute silent standoff. He refused to go to summer speech and occupational therapy. He loves going, so I knew I had a chance of working through what was holding him back. He was playing karaoke and didn’t want to stop — totally understandable. I told him he could … Continue reading 7 Minute Standoff
Car games
Last night driving Wil home from the first Special Olympics golf of the season (he was in a high mood as he loves SOMI golf and was counting the days until it started again) he started calling me by my full name of Christie Leigh Taylor and cracking himself up. “That’s Mom to you sir!” … Continue reading Car games
Gotcha!
I signed Wil up for an online self-advocacy class. I logged him in, then left the room for a minute. In that minute he exited the meeting and closed the computer.Touché Wil 😂
The Amazing is in The Choice
There is no magic formula to acceptance of our friends with disabilities. Acceptance, in its essence, is very simple. You don’t need to be a special person. You don’t need to be born kind or compassionate or patient.You don’t need to be energetic or inspirational. You don’t need to be anything other than willing to … Continue reading The Amazing is in The Choice
Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
A sticky, filmy, wiggly smudge snaked across my computer screen. I’m not a fan of snakes, but I looked at this one endearingly. Just a few days ago Wil was flipping through photos on my computer. They were photos of experiences at Camp Sunshine; the camp he’d be going to this very weekend. He smiled … Continue reading Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
Tree Wil and Glitter Christie
The past fall, I struggled with the thought of never truly being an empty nester. My thoughts were a twisted, tangled jumble of yarn – strands of prickly burlap wound tight around strands of brilliant, transparent glitter. The brilliant strands of glitter represent Wil’s near constant song. Nearly every event calls for a song -- … Continue reading Tree Wil and Glitter Christie
Take Another Think
We may believe our thinking is correct; or it is good—that we are good people. Even those of us that call ourselves open-minded may find we have unwittingly closed off our minds when spending time with individuals with disabilities. Why is this? Because we have to see it their way first to understand. And many … Continue reading Take Another Think