Going through airport security with our son Joey can prove to be interesting. His special needs requires us to “prompt” him to take off his shoes, “prompt” him to move forward, “prompt” him to go through the x-ray on his own. He listens, usually, but basically needs prompts. We have our routine. Joe put his things [...]

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Marriage is challenging. Raising children is challenging. But I’ve found (with but one grandchild and one soon to join us) that grandparenting is a whole set of different challenges. Not bad. Just different. I’ve heard a lot of folks say something like, “Well, they’re not my kids. Been there. Done that.” They load up their [...]

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In the framework of those whose lives are often dismissed, ignored, disregarded, neglected, slighted, snubbed – those with special needs, I wonder how often we really take a mental walk to walk in their shoes? Perhaps you, like I, have missed the opportunity to show compassion or love to someone simply because they have special [...]

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Returning to my seat at the airport gate, Joe motioned with his eyes, for me to observe the three people sitting just in front of us. Their backs were to us, so I did not readily see what he was trying to tell me. He quietly said, “Just watch, I’ll be right back.” Within moments, the 45-50 year [...]

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Do you know who said, “For every laugh there should be a tear”? It was Walt Disney. All of us probably enjoy that thought for great books and storytelling, movies and shows, but for real life, it seems most would prefer laughter and smiles all the time. That makes life more fun and enjoyable, and, well [...]

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A young couple has come into our life whose son is special needs. They are trying to cope with the initial news of his disabilities, the on-going therapies, and so much more. They mentioned to us that they have times of great frustration. They wondered if that ever happens to us. Time for transparency! Yes, [...]

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Adjustments to any challenge are difficult, especially when it is both physically and emotionally draining. An initial diagnosis that is life-changing puts the attention on the problems and issues of the person needing care, and often the caregiver’s needs are over­looked or at best put aside temporarily. Unfortunately, we don’t always know whether this care [...]

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Life…when you’re young, you think you have it all figured out – that everything will go just as planned! As a planner, I love when life allows me to live according to my Plan A….but the reality is: I live in Plan B! IN PRAISE OF PLAN B… Moving from “What is” to “What can [...]

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Looking up a phone number to make a phone call is way beyond Joey’s ability. He would not be able to call to make an appointment. And if he could call, he would not be able to verbalize to the person on the other end what his needs were. To formulate his needs into words [...]

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My husband had finished his requirements for graduation from dental school at THE Ohio State University, and was given a menu of options and opportunities regarding where he could spend some discretionary free time. He chose to work at University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, doing dentistry for children with special needs. He was taught in [...]

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