A Journey from Darkness into Light
Yesterday, Oliver hit me so hard that he gave me a fat lip and a bruise. This certainly isn't the first time his flailing limbs have come into contact with my face but it was so hard this time that it made me cry… partially due to the pain, but mostly because it was one... Continue Reading →
A while back, during the time just after Nicco’s birth, when my husband was working all day and starting a business all night, when sick family members were living with us and I was struggling to set reasonable boundaries for what I was able to take on, I began to notice a change in my... Continue Reading →
We have been in and out of a many hospitals in the five years since Oliver‘s birth and each of them has had attributes that I have very much appreciated. But I have to say, our new medical home, Seattle Children’s, has it all. Friendly staff greet you when you call to schedule appointments. They... Continue Reading →
I was in rare form this morning. Well, let's be honest, it's not so rare these days. LOL After all of the craziness of the last couple weeks, I completely forgot about our Gastroenterology appointment at UCLA this morning. Luckily I had glanced at my calendar last night and caught my oversight before missing it... Continue Reading →
Today was hard. I was inarguably consumed by the anger stage of grief. Before I write though, I want to preface this post by saying… I do not share our experience for pity or attention. My writing is a way to help me process through the harder parts of our journey. Sharing what I write fulfills a different purpose... Continue Reading →
If, five years ago, someone would have told me that I would soon be a person who not only used a calendar, but absolutely depended on one to keep an insanely packed schedule of appointments straight, I would’ve laughed out loud. Calendars were never my style. I was way too carefree and laissez faire for... Continue Reading →
Ahhh Napa … I love the long drive leading to this enchanted destination, where smiling faces and warm greetings meet you at the door. It’s a place where the burdens of life melt away and suddenly the day seems full of lightness, hope and absolute possibility. At Napa, positivity flows freely, quenching the thirst of all... Continue Reading →
Today was the day. After nearly a year of appointments, phone calls, follow up phone calls, disappointments, more phone calls and a whole lot of waiting, the growth kit for Oliver’s wheelchair was ready to be installed.They’re funny… These simple things. So much emotion from such simple things.It was a hurried morning to get the... Continue Reading →
There are 1000 different situations in which a special needs parent will need to summon superhuman strength. Today was one of those times for me. We agreed to do a special session of Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME) today with the woman who trained many of the Napa therapists. I honestly can’t say enough positive things... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I barely recognize the person I’ve become. I took this photo just before walking in to confront our respite agency about why they aren’t staffing our hours with competent caregivers. Five years ago I never could’ve imagined dressing in this conservative outfit and coolly and confidently walking into an office to deal with an... Continue Reading →
As many children with Cerebral Palsy do, Oliver also has epilepsy. He doesn't have very many seizures but when he does have one, it doesn't stop on its own. Although we have rescue medication that we carry with us at all times, it has never actually worked. So we are left with only the choice to... Continue Reading →
Victory tastes so sweet after a battle hard fought. And oh have I fought. For the last 3 years I’ve done everything in my power to give my son a voice. I’ve made hundreds of phone calls, attended seminars and conventions, pleaded doctors and therapists to help me, hired company reps to come to our home, and... Continue Reading →
Oliver's Odyssey 