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
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
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
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
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!
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
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