When I was a very young child I remember asking my dad, "What IF this happens? And what IF that happens? Then what IF this happens?" He looked at me and replied, "There are no 'what if's.' You just do." I don't remember much else other than we were in the car on our way … Continue reading Abled and Disabled: Together We Just Do
Blooming Naturally
Opening minds to acceptance need not be negative. My journey with Wil’s diagnosis is likened to a flower blossoming through a crack in the concrete, unfolding, stretching, growing, reaching, and opening fully to the sun. At first unbelievable, then freeing, and now a natural part of life. Disability is a natural part of the human … Continue reading Blooming Naturally
Not A Chromosome Too Many For Being His Best
Someone once said to me about Wil, “ but don’t you want him to be the best he can be?” This was in relation to a claim certain supplements could help take some of his Down syndrome features away. Of course, I want Wil to be the best he can be. But what I don’t … Continue reading Not A Chromosome Too Many For Being His Best
To Be or Not To Be
Individuals with disabilities are not more or less special — they are not put on this planet to teach us. All of us are born of the same place; all of us are born of our own ways. All of us are here just as we all are—meant to live and breathe and express our … Continue reading To Be or Not To Be
Self-Care, Self-Realization, Self-Worth
I just read an article about self-care in raising a child with Down syndrome. Eat healthy, load up on those fruits and veggies. Drink lots of water. Get more sleep. Oh, and don’t forget to carve out personal time for you. The author qualified that this can be challenging when you have a child with … Continue reading Self-Care, Self-Realization, Self-Worth
Pinnacles
This blog isn’t about Wil, it’s about me in relation to Wil. And I guess all my blogs are really about that. Because I had no clue how to raise a child with Down syndrome. And I don’t think many of us do. There are parenting books, but how many of your typically-developing kids fit … Continue reading Pinnacles
The Flip-Side
“It’s hard raising a child with disabilities.” If I had a quarter for every time I heard or read that statement. Bear with me while I flip the coin for a moment. No story is ever one-sided. When I watched Wil walk off to his cabin for his first overnight camp, without even a glance … Continue reading The Flip-Side
An Ode to Laughter
To the moms who supported me in those early years and beyond… Instead of sighing, we laughed.Instead of crying, we laughed.Instead of our differences, we laughed.Laughter did not make light of.Laughter did not negate the challenge of.Instead, laughter is depth of connection.Instead, laughter is inner understanding.Instead, laughter is unity.Instead, laughter is fortitude to navigate the … Continue reading An Ode to Laughter
Parking Lot
I just returned from Wil's bike camp. And I'm really, really fortunate, you know? Because Wil can go to bike camp. Bike camp is outside in a big, nondescript asphalt parking lot. The parking lot is in the middle of a neighborhood, so there are ample dog walkers, stroller-pushers, and an errant horn honk or … Continue reading Parking Lot
High Rider
I walked into the parking lot area where Wil was to take his PEAC bike camp. I was overcome with a positive, uplifting feeling — thankfully this type of feeling is not unfamiliar. I’ve grown accustomed to this shift from breathing dense air into a higher atmosphere in only one step. This atmosphere is one … Continue reading High Rider