Today Wil and Manny went bowling. Both are teens with Down syndrome. Manny’s mom, Laura, and I share frequently about our plans, thoughts and concerns for the future. Thoughts about our boys as they age out of the school system; after friends have moved on to college, to jobs, to get married. How will our … Continue reading HOW WE BEND
Unsuspected Connections
Yesterday, checking out at the grocery store, the grocery clerk commented on the cupcakes I bought. I said the cupcakes were for my son’s classroom for his birthday. The grocery clerk asked how old my son was. I replied that he was my baby, and it was hard to believe he was already 16 years … Continue reading Unsuspected Connections
Just Make Him Do It
One of the most common things I hear (and what many of my friends who have children w disabilities hear) is, “well, just make him do it.” I literally feel a huge distance grow between us with this seeming logic. And yet, it’s a very difficult distance to close as there is no logical explanation. … Continue reading Just Make Him Do It
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
Navigating Methods of Plane Sailing
“The gate is closing in four minutes, ma’am.” An airline representative said to me as I sat on the floor with Wil. “Yes, thank you. I just can’t get him up. I’m trying.” Katherine was standing by our bags and Elizabeth and I tried to lift Wil up into a wheelchair to roll him onto … Continue reading Navigating Methods of Plane Sailing
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.
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!
Time
I sat at the kitchen table, my chair turned slightly outward, toward the kitchen sink, where Matt stood, washing dishes. Miraculously, Katherine, Elizabeth and Wil were all in one of the bedrooms playing together. This is the time, I thought. “Matt, what is it that you need?” I asked him. He stopped, holding a plate, … Continue reading Time
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