Diverse Disability Communities and Their Differing Worldviews
The world of disabilities is often held up as an example of diversity, but sometimes I wonder how often the people citing this example...
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A BLOG FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENCES, DISABILITIES, AND DIAGNOSES
In and Out Of Our Lives: Helpers and Therapists
Note: This is the winning essay from the Spring 2023 Johnson County Writing Contest My daughter, JJ, has a rare progressive genetic...
Government Support: Families Receiving Help for Their Special Needs Children
I don’t believe in making my blog a political site. I want all people with all views to feel welcome here. However, government...
Comparisons: The Myth That All Problems Are Created Equal
“No one’s problem is more or less important than anyone else’s.” “Everyone is dealing with something.” “We all have our own struggles,...
Family: When Everyone Comes Together to Help
One day, when I was feeling particularly sad and alone, I googled “special needs parents” and “mental health.” I wasn’t surprised to find...
Typically Developing Peers: How My Daughter Changes Their Perspective
My family lives in a quiet cul-de-sac—a peaceful little tree-lined oasis—with ten young children in the nearby homes. It’s really the...
Social Media: Why Do I Feel So Alone In This Sea Of People?
It’s not exactly breaking news that social media and the internet are both a blessing and a curse. But when it comes to special needs...
Labels: Are the Words We Use Really That Important?
These days, words and phrases referring to certain groups of people can be a complex and controversial topic. Though many of us have...
Coping Strategies: More Than Just Finding "Me Time"
I came up with the idea for a post about coping strategies during a particularly difficult period in my family’s life. It was the middle...
Common Phrases: Are the Things We All Say About Special Needs Parenting Really Helpful?
“We are so blessed to have her in our lives.” “It’s a privilege to care for her.” “I wouldn’t trade her for the world.” “I wouldn’t...
Partners: Why Having The Right Person By Your Side Can Be So Powerful
Having a child with disabilities can introduce a host of issues into a marriage or romantic partnership. While researchers don’t agree on...
(In)Visibility: How My Daughter and I Can Be Both Highly Visible and Completely Overlooked
The world of special needs parenting is full of paradoxes. One of the most unexpected is how we and our children can both be highly...
People: The World of Kindness that Opens Up When You Become a Special Needs Parent
When we first learned our daughter had special needs, my husband mentioned it to his physician at his yearly physical. It turned out that...
Strength: The different ways special needs parents show how strong they are
“I don’t know how you do it.” “I can’t imagine.” “Your child is so lucky to have you.” “You’re so strong.” As parents of children with...
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