The girl stood behind the hospital wheelchair and clasped the narrow top of the plastic seat. Her mother, standing beside her (both about the same height) grabbed a handful of the girl’s pale blue shirt, directly at the small of her back, and wrapped it tight around her fist. The girl stepped forward, wobbly and … Continue reading A Love Story
Of Mice and Squirrels – Defying Categories
“Look at me, Mom.” Wil held a sandwich close to his mouth and nibbled bit-by-bit. “Look at you. Such a cute, little mouse.” “Ugh, Mom, no. I’m a cute, little squirrel,” he said emphatically, then rolled his eyes upward. Wil is an expert at merging the aspects of childhood with the antics of teenage-hood. Wil’s … Continue reading Of Mice and Squirrels – Defying Categories
In Sync
As Wil has gotten older, it’s clear he needs closer friends with Down syndrome. He has wonderful friends at school that love and support him fully. As the gap in abilities with his typical peers grows and social lives expand, Wil also needs to cultivate friendships with those whose abilities match his. Manny’s family lives … Continue reading In Sync
Upgrading the Lens
I wonder sometimes, do we view individuals with special needs as angelic, more so than our typical selves, because we do not apply the same societal pressures to individuals with special needs as we do to ourselves? We see individuals with special needs for who they are. For the love that they share. For the … Continue reading Upgrading the Lens
Slippery Rocks Ahead!
“Slippery rocks ahead!” It was a dark, pre-dawn August morning in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Headlamp lights bounced off the rocky trail. It had rained the night before, so the trail was slick. The jutting rocks and roots mixed with the elevation proved challenging without throwing in the darkness and slickness. Even though I had read … Continue reading Slippery Rocks Ahead!
Exhale
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 own … Continue reading Exhale
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’t … Continue 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. I … Continue reading Happy is as Happy Does
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, I … Continue 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 a … Continue reading Special Needs, Peers & Boundaries