Here you’ll find relevant essays related to raising a child with unique and complex needs. The purpose of these posts is to form connections through our shared stories. Stories have the power to change the world when we feel less alone in our struggles and finally seen.
It’s not like we weren’t aware of Damek’s challenges early in his life. The speech delays at three years old, the hyperactivity and constant need to move and interrupt conversations, the inability...
They showed another video from the series Healing Journeys by Andrew Womack at church today, and I didn’t cry. In fact, they begin each Sunday with one of these videos, and I never cry. When you...
Today I am home with a sick child. My complex, disabled, and now ill child. I started the day annoyed that I had to miss work. I have only been back to work (barely part-time) a few...
Parenthood. It’s often touted as a miraculous journey filled with love, joy, and a sense of purpose— a transformative experience that challenges us in countless ways, but also rewards us with...
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 visible and completely overlooked by the rest of the world....
For months, I have been conflicted about whether or not to put these thoughts on a page. I know people will make a judgment about me based on a piece of writing. And that terrifies me. Also, I know...
Guest Post From: Kim Cummings at A Unicorn Among Horses "Autism is like a rose; a mixture of beauty and thorns." This weekend there were a lot of thorns. This weekend, we went camping at a place we...
I asked Lara Garrard when she first sensed something was different with her third son, Luka. She replied, “I could tell at 6 months. He wasn’t bonding with me like his older brothers.” Lara has four...
I was advanced material age (38) when I was pregnant with Sully and a high risk of going into labor early which led to taking shots weekly. (Did this lead to autism?) It was by far my hardest...
“‘Transition Plan’ is a mockery for kids like Pabs, because no program will take him, no day programs exist that can support his profound needs.” This post is written by Alicia Mesa and was...
There will be times on this journey where you scream, cry & use colorful language. That was today. To be a fly on our wall when I am on the phone. When the screaming comes to an end. When the...
Cody is in a man’s body with the mind of a child. His body is growing faster than his mind and there are many challenges that come with that. Cody had a huge tantrum last night. Tantrum not meltdown...