Search Results for: blog making family outings with special kids fear free

For the Love of … Grandparents

One of the most tragic experiences of my life was my mother’s death. She died of breast cancer in 1994, and not only did I lose my mom, but my children and my future children lost a wonderful grandmother. There is a scene forever etched in my mind during my mother’s last days in the hospital, where I put Kyle, then a fifteen-month-old infant, into her arms. My mother didn’t have any hair as she lay in her hospital bed, and Kyle was just as bald. It was a very tender moment for all of us as she looked into … Continue reading →

You Know You Need a Vacation When…

Few people out there deserve a vacation more than parents of special needs kids. It’s an all-consuming job that can feel imprisoning and emotionally draining. Of course we love our kids with all our hearts, but sometimes we just need a break. Here’s my take on the situation: You know you need a vacation when… You’ve sent your child to the naughty stool so many times that it collapses from the strain. The only “nature hike” you get is a trek down the hall to the bathroom. The 911 operators know you on a first name basis. The only brush … Continue reading →

Five Ways to Deal with Staring

There are few things as uncomfortable as standing in a public place, knowing that someone is staring at you. It can almost seem like an invisible laser beam is burning into your back. The experience is even more irritating when the gaping eyes are on your child. As parents, we have an intense need to protect our children from harm and shield them from the scorn of the outside world. So when our child’s disability attracts attention, going out in public can cause us to squirm with discomfort. Personally, my days of being bothered by stares are long over. Let’s … Continue reading →