A Beautiful Gift Arrives In the fall of 1983, I lived in a nice-sized three-bedroom home in a southwestern suburb of Denver. My father, a general residential contractor, had built many homes in the neighborhood. My then-husband and I purchased this house in 1979 while I was pregnant with my son, Kasey. It was …
Routine Life Most families have a routine. We have a daily set of rituals and activities that help us wake up, move around the house and help us run around our communities, and chat with each other over coffee. Yet, we all know that when the dishwasher does work, or the car won’t start, it …
Doubt Nagging doubt and uncertainty have replaced my fear. Yet, I know I am not alone as I share a cup of coffee with the unknown. Four other women, all with adults who experience disabilities and have been living an inclusive life in their own homes, feel my trepidation about growing older. What will it …
Why I have to get back to the islands. It is time for a “momcation.” I need a beach, a cocktail, and a whole night’s sleep. Being of the hardy sort, hard work is fine for me. I am of the hardy sort. I was blessed with great energy and long to be active in …
Problem Solving There are few loves we experience in our lives like caring for a family member who experiences a special need. The transformation from disability to ability and back again is miraculous and not well understood unless experienced. A parent can turn the most challenging day into a day full of love, smiles, and …
Part Two Exhaustion Sets In In last month’s blog post, Mikelle and I lamented that we are still in the middle of a staffing crisis ourselves. Since then, I have met with other parents experiencing some version of this crisis in their own families. Compounding our situation are life challenges like parental surgeries and …
If you read last month’s blog post, we discussed that it is best to circle the wagons in times of uncertainty. This month we are writing about one of the wagons. Person-Centered Planning, Group Action Planning, H.O.P.E. Teams are some of the wagons. Regrouping. Looking at resources, assessing challenges, defining what is unique about …
Back to the Future, Part 2. Circling the Wagons. Read More »
Two years ago, Mikelle and I felt pretty comfortable living in her downtown condo. We had a solid team of support for Mikelle. Her life was fascinating. She navigated her community like a celebrity. I had the freedom to support her when needed and have projects of my own and the opportunity to socialize and …
I am intrigued. For all the health and fitness information on the internet, stacked in the aisle at book stores, there is very little written, spoke, or researched on the dietary needs of someone living with cerebral palsy. This condition varies from person to person, depending on the extend of neurological damage. A parent …
In the heart of winter lies February, the month of love. For us, it has been about romantic love for the pandemic that has encircled us with its frightening ghostly arms keeping us home away from friends and even family. Covid confine points its gnarly finger to our hearts calling it to find sunshine …
