"I don't want to live until I'm 100." One said. "Oh, me either." Replied another. Both shared their own beliefs for saying so. I found myself bristling. Actually jealous. And how silly of me. Who gets to choose how long they live? But what I found myself upset about was how they could take this … Continue reading Centurion, Collaboration & Education
Progress Time
A follow-up to Monday’s post, “Processing Time,” about Wil's Taekwondo tournament experience… Last night at the conclusion of Wil’s Taekwondo class, Senior Master asked the incoming class to take a seat on the mat. Senior Master then asked Wil if he'd like to perform his forms to earn his medal. Senior Master said Wil had … Continue reading Progress Time
Processing Time
Wil attended his first taekwondo tournament last Saturday. The environment had the potential of causing sensory distress within Wil. I had been to many taekwondo tournaments in the past with Katherine, as she worked her way up to a blackbelt. There would be many people moving around on the gym floor, and spontaneous announcements over … Continue reading Processing Time
I Believe Most People Are Good (Luke Bryan song)
I saw it in his eyes. He wanted to bolt. If he found a crack in the crowd, he’d force his way through like a flower through a concrete slab. At 5’5” and 155 pounds, clad with big blue noise-cancelling headphones, people would step back startled and stare, walk around and give him space, rather … Continue reading I Believe Most People Are Good (Luke Bryan song)
Blending Scenes
“The Buddy Walk is only one mile walk. I think you can handle it,” I joked. “And really, with so many people with Down syndrome, we don’t move fast!” When The Peanut Butter Falcon was available for streaming, I didn’t want to watch it on my own. The viewing experience would be fuller with friends … Continue reading Blending Scenes
Mixed Medley
I dropped Wil off on the second morning of his first all-day camp. He talked about camp for weeks; water balloon tosses, scavenger hunts, a trip to the beach – and parent-free. There were no tears at drop-off; Wil and I were both ready for this leap in independence. This summer has been the Mom … Continue reading Mixed Medley
A Little Can Mean a Lot
Yesterday I went to Wolf's Westside Automotive Service for an oil change. I had been there the previous day to have my tire patched. When I came in for my tire, the front door was propped open, the garage bay doors rolled up, and a refreshing breeze flowed through the lobby. Yesterday was just that … Continue reading A Little Can Mean a Lot
Frames of Time
I listen to empty nester friends–– or near empty nester friends–– share stories of re-visiting old independences and exploring new ones. There is talk of extended trips and couples-only vacations. Their children are nearly independent; close to graduating high school or in their college years. Sometimes, I feel the edges of the future weighing me … Continue reading Frames of Time
Just Make Him Do It
One of the most common things I hear (and what many of my friends who have children w disabilities hear) is, “well, just make him do it.” I literally feel a huge distance grow between us with this seeming logic. And yet, it’s a very difficult distance to close as there is no logical explanation. … Continue reading Just Make Him Do It
Down-right!
I’ve heard Down syndrome called Up syndrome. In the beginning, this upend in terminology enabled me to rise above the mess of emotions I was entangled in to better sort them out. Then an interesting thing happened…over time I became increasingly grounded in my daily life; more than I had been in a long time. … Continue reading Down-right!