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
My Writing Summed Up in 7 Steps
If I were to sum up my writing surrounding Wil in 7 steps it would be: Wil wants and deserves to be treated as you’d treat anyone. As the individual he is. But, 47 chromosomes has an impact on Wil. To respect him for who he is, you cannot have an idealized view of what … Continue reading My Writing Summed Up in 7 Steps
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
Firmly Rooted
This Monday there was not a 7 minute standoff success story as I shared last Monday. In fact, after 20 minutes I remained the only one standing. After giving Wil silent time to process, there was not a hint of progress. I tried being silly. Wil loves being silly, so the tug to join my … Continue reading Firmly Rooted
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
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!
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
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
A Right Turn
47 chromosomes…did something go wrong, or did something go right? There are still tire marks on the ground when I changed direction of thought and peeled off toward something going right. We are now so deep into this right-pathed scenic route that I wonder at how the question is even asked at all.