Most of us don’t choose to be caregivers. Then next thing you know, you find yourself standing on a house of cards. Last night a friend was at a neighboring table for dinner with her husband and another couple. After they had eaten dinner, the other couple left. As our friend tried to leave, her … Continue reading House of Cards
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
Another Gear
I pulled up in the driveway at 7:45AM after coaching. Just as I was about to exit my car to go inside our home and check on Wil’s readiness for school, he ran outside and into the car! He was fully dressed, complete with his hoodie, backpack and even socks (which sometimes prove challenging for … Continue reading Another Gear
Proper Pacing
When Wil goes outside, he just goes. Once he’s out there, he figures out what he’s going to do. Sometimes, it’s picking up sticks. Piling them up, or bringing a few choice specimens home. Other times it’s walking the lane all the way back to the woods. He may get into mischief by investigating a … Continue reading Proper Pacing
The Same, but a Little Brighter
You know that “brillance” enhancement on your iPhone photos? How your picture is the same, but a little brighter? That’s how it is raising a child with Ds. There is a lot that is the same. So much that is the same. Then there are the experiences that take longer to emerge; I like to … Continue reading The Same, but a Little Brighter
Play, Pray and Don’t Say Beer at School
I ran into Wil's room and started cheering, "It's Friday, it's Friday, it's Friday!" He rolled over, giggled, and pulled the covers over his head. I put my hands on his back, and pushed down, then released, pushed down, released, over and again, bouncing him on his bed, singing, "It's Friday, it's Friday, it's Friday!" … Continue reading Play, Pray and Don’t Say Beer at School
Twist, turn, kick. Sputter. Smile.
His swim instructor was showing him how to roll over from his stomach to his back in the water. He’d start, face down, floating, then twist himself around. As he made the twist, he’d flail slightly, body twisting hard, with a little kicking to get himself all the way around. He’d pop his head to … Continue reading Twist, turn, kick. Sputter. Smile.
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 a … Continue reading Special Needs, Peers & Boundaries
Today was a Tail Feather Shaker
Driving home from work this morning I received a call from Katherine. "Mom, Wil is in the shower and he won't get out. We have to leave in 15 minutes." "Ok, see if you can urge him out. If not, keep getting yourself ready and I'll be home in 5 minutes. Has he eaten yet?" … Continue reading Today was a Tail Feather Shaker