Christie Taylor What People Don't See

To Be or Not To Be

Individuals with disabilities are not more or less special — they are not put on this planet to teach us. All of us are born of the same place; all of us are born of our own ways. All of us are here just as we all are—meant to live and breathe and express our … Continue reading To Be or Not To Be

Christie Taylor Patience, What People Don't See

Self-Care, Self-Realization, Self-Worth

I just read an article about self-care in raising a child with Down syndrome. Eat healthy, load up on those fruits and veggies. Drink lots of water. Get more sleep. Oh, and don’t forget to carve out personal time for you. The author qualified that this can be challenging when you have a child with … Continue reading Self-Care, Self-Realization, Self-Worth

Christie Taylor Patience, Stories of Wil

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

Christie Taylor Patience, What People Don't See

Pinnacles

This blog isn’t about Wil, it’s about me in relation to Wil. And I guess all my blogs are really about that. Because I had no clue how to raise a child with Down syndrome. And I don’t think many of us do. There are parenting books, but how many of your typically-developing kids fit … Continue reading Pinnacles

Christie Taylor Communication, Patience

7 Minute Standoff

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

Christie Taylor What People Don't See

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

Christie Taylor Communication, Stories of Wil

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

Christie Taylor What People Don't See

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

Christie Taylor Patience, What People Don't See

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

Christie Taylor Communication, Patience

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