Category Archives: Raising special needs kids

Two Years after Driving Away

Two years ago tomorrow (around lunchtime) my beloved and I drove our son to a mental hospital to admit him for an unknown amount of time. It was for his safety. It was for his mental state. It was the … Continue reading

Posted in Going Mental, Raising special needs kids, What others take for granted | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Being Different and Knowing

Quinnlin stepped into the car yesterday during carpool where a snack and juice box waited for her to devour. “How was your day, honey?” I said, like I do every day she bounces in my car. On this day she … Continue reading

Posted in Raising special needs kids, What others take for granted | 34 Comments

My Responsibility as a Special Needs Parent

It’s my responsibility… -       to love them for them and never try to change the core of who they are, -       to make my kids’ lives as easy as possible where their disabilities are concerned, -       to ask that exceptions … Continue reading

Posted in Raising special needs kids, Tips for parents, families and friends, What others take for granted | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Who deserves a kidney? CHOP says no kidney for Amelia.

Quinnlin’s & Cheryl’s kidneys Yesterday my friend Cecily sent me a link to a blog post by mom, Chrissy, who had, just a day earlier, been told her daughter’s life wasn’t worth the amount of effort it would take to … Continue reading

Posted in Kidneys in general, Raising special needs kids, Story telling, What others take for granted | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Letting go of the shame.

I can’t talk about being so depressed that I wanted to die. I’ve not been there. I can only tell you that I know it feels desperate, and real and dark and like it will never end. I can tell … Continue reading

Posted in Going Mental, Raising special needs kids, Story telling | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Always, change.

One thing is a given in our world and that is change. It can be for the better or for the worse, but change will come. We will either welcome it, as we did with Gage’s mental health stability, or … Continue reading

Posted in Gage's new kidney adventure, Raising special needs kids, What others take for granted | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Scouting, Inclusion Policies and Special Needs

I’ve been working on a post for a long time. I wrote about how Gage dropped out of Scouts here, and I’ve touched on Quinnlin’s struggles in her troop. I have a post up at Support for Special Needs about … Continue reading

Posted in A gripe, Plugging SfSN site!, Raising special needs kids, Tips for parents, families and friends | 1 Comment

Running Away

This past Saturday Gage packed his cat, a travel shovel, one change of clothing, rope, bungee cords, a heavy jacket and for a reason only known to him, an American flag. The American flag didn’t make the trip because it … Continue reading

Posted in Going Mental, Good behavior doesn't come cheap, Raising special needs kids, What others take for granted | 23 Comments

When mental health treatment works.

I was going through some pictures from Quinnlin’s 2nd kidneyversary dinner with her donor, Cheryl, husband Steve and daughter, Glori and this one caught me off guard. First, there is a picture of me with both kids (which rarely happens) … Continue reading

Posted in Gage's new kidney adventure, Going Mental, Raising special needs kids, What others take for granted | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Thanksgiving and Us

I wish I had the talent to write this post from my friend, Rob because it does sum up a lot of how I feel. One of the reasons I find it difficult is because I feel beholden to tell … Continue reading

Posted in Raising special needs kids, Story telling, What others take for granted | 5 Comments