Many times when someone thinks about autism they think of it negatively. But I want to talk about autism in a positive light. I want to talk about what our son’s autism has taught us. Dear Sully, We wanted to write this letter to you, my beautiful boy, letting you know just how much you have changed our lives and the things you have taught us. You have made us more compassionate towards others. You have shown us the ability to not judge others because you never know what struggles…
Read MoreMy son Cooper is nonspeaking. I know that’s a confusing classification. I even sometimes struggle to explain it. See when it comes to autism, and the spectrum you hear about, the waters are often muddy. He said his first word at age 8. It was mom. Now he says it no less than 50 times a day. But he couldn’t tell you his name under pressure or if he is in pain. He can’t use the phone but he can type the name of his favorite movie into YouTube. He…
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I just want things to be right for her— I don’t care if she has hard days or sad days because that is part of life it’s part of being human and growing. But I want her to be able to tell me— I want her to be able to know for herself, what kind of day she had. I want her to know what she is feeling— Imagine not only carrying the weight of your feelings but not being able to understand them— not knowing why you are scared…
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My son Cooper was 7 years old when he first asked me to buy him something. Imagine that. 7 years it took. Prior to that he had never once asked me for a toy or movie or game. We were standing in line at Target and he saw the movie Cars on the shelf. He pointed. He gasped. He jumped. He may have been nonverbal but there was no doubt what he was asking. We watched Cars for weeks straight. He even slept with the dvd. His twelfth birthday is…
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Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a mother. I started writing names down that I wanted to name my kids. I began thinking about what sports they would play. Planning playdates and birthday parties. I had my whole motherhood planned out by a young age. I never dreamt of having a child who possibly would have special needs or be considered medically complex. Being the mother, I never imagined I would be. My dreams for my children have changed from when I was a young…
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As we start that holiday shopping let’s support businesses that either provide employment to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or are owned and ran by a person with a disability. If you are like me, or my own friends and family, I am sure you want to support and give back to individuals who are doing amazing things. Keep reading as I introduce you to five businesses that are setting the bar and shining a light on the meaningful contributions that individuals with disabilities give to society. Happy holidays…
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I was chatting with someone from my previous life the other day and it got me thinking how much I have changed. We chatted about life, work, relationships, and kids. I say previous life because I am simply not the person I was before autism. As I settled into this new life it chipped away at me piece by piece and I fundamentally changed as a person. In fact, it changed my entire outlook on life. The things that mattered just didn’t anymore. I quickly learned what was important and…
Read MoreMy son got spelling words yesterday. They came home in his backpack. He is a sixth grader in a self-contained level three autism program at our local middle school and this is the first time he has had educational homework type work sent home. When I saw the words, the list, tears immediately sprang to my eyes. Which surprised me. See, I am not much of a crier. I’m not the only anyone would call emotional. But, those words, on a piece of paper in his folder, they symbolized something…
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We are a family that lives autism. My son Cody is 22 and has autism with speech delays. Everyday is the same day as before. It’s like being on rewind over and over and over. It’s a place I never knew existed. This place that seems so far away yet it’s our life — our reality. As I sit here reflecting and repeating words back to my son as he says them (something that needs to be done for him to move on) I realize I’m in the same place…
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One day, a friend asked me “what is the hardest part of being a sibling to a brother with a disability?” Without hesitation I quickly answered, living in fear. Still to this day, even at 38 years old, I have the same exact fear as I did in my sunflower decorated room when I was eight. What happens to my brother if something happens to my parents? This is my deepest fear, one that comes with so many factors. But I don’t really talk about it. Like… I fear that…
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