I emerged from the ladies’ locker room into the pool area, and as always, held my breath. I made a quick scan of the pool. I exhaled in relief to see an open lane. I wouldn’t have to share. Over 2 yards of width and 25 yards of length lined off to my very ownContinue reading “Exhale”
Tag Archives: Advocacy
Step One is One Step
After coaching an early morning class, I was talking to one of the members and asked her what her occupation was. She told me she was a social worker. I never knew much about social workers until Wil was born. “You do good work,” I said, “but my guess is a lot of people don’tContinue reading “Step One is One Step”
Happy is as Happy Does
I wasn’t feeling very well yesterday. Wil had just gotten over the flu, and I believe a lesser degree of his illness hit my system yesterday. Other than going to work in the morning, and taking Katherine and Elizabeth on a few errands, I laid low and got as much sleep as I could. IContinue reading “Happy is as Happy Does”
Overwhelmed: Discovering a New Landscape with Down Syndrome
We walked down the hallway of the church, where the meeting was being held. Matt held the baby carrier, swaying slightly with the gait of his walk. It was somewhat dim in the hallway, Matt and my footfalls echoing off the walls. It was evening and the congregation had long returned home from the morning’s service. ThoughContinue reading “Overwhelmed: Discovering a New Landscape with Down Syndrome”
You Don’t Need to be Special to Raise a Child with Special Needs
“To raise someone with special needs—it really takes someone special to do that.” What does that mean exactly? Did I need a certain number of qualifications to be certified as special? Or was there some checklist I filled out? Who does the interviews anyway? I’m really confused as to how I qualified. I mean, IContinue reading “You Don’t Need to be Special to Raise a Child with Special Needs”
Special Needs, Peers & Boundaries
Many schools have a peer-to-peer program in the middle and/or high schools. These peer-to-peer programs are where a typically developing student is linked with a student with special needs. At our school this program is called Connect. Wil, who is in 7th grade, has been linked with two high school students, a male and aContinue reading “Special Needs, Peers & Boundaries”
Life with Down Syndrome: Never a Dull Moment
Last night, Katherine had Crossfit at 5:30pm, and during her hour there, Elizabeth, Wil and I grocery shopped. I wasn’t feeling that well (some winter bug), so wanted to make it a quick visit. We picked up the necessary items for dinner, then got into the grocery line. The line was quite long. As weContinue reading “Life with Down Syndrome: Never a Dull Moment”
WILingness 