A Journey from Darkness into Light
It has been said that the grieving process is like peeling an onion. As each layer falls away, it gives the gift of deeper understanding and also reveals the next level of processing. The stages don’t go smoothly from 1-5… denial, anger, bargaining, depression and then acceptance. They are interwoven and revisit you many times even after... Continue Reading →
Receiving this unwelcome comment seems to be unequivocally loathed among many special needs (SN) parents. Most people are well intentioned and share a genuine desire to offer support to others going through hard times. But the statement “God will never give you more than you can handle” is one that comes up frequently in the SN community... 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 →
Being the little brother of a special needs sibling has it's perks and some downsides too. On one hand, there's tons of super cool equipment to climb on, swings bolted to the ceiling of the living room, a therapy center that seems to be your own personal playground and PLENTY of trips to the doctors... Continue Reading →
It’s our first day home from the hospital and while I do feel great relief, there is also a weight of sadness plaguing my heart. I know this feeling. I recognize it because I’ve experienced it many times before. It is the resurfacing of grief. The unique thing about having a child with a brain... Continue Reading →
The early hours of this morning felt like something right out of a twisted psychological thriller. Oliver’s schedule is pretty off and he was still wide awake at midnight. I lied down in the parent chair next to his bed, put on the tv and tried to rest, hoping he would fall asleep too. We both started to... Continue Reading →
Hospital life is a crazy life. The pace of the people there is fast but the process is slow. The stakes are high. Reactions are quick and things can shift unexpectedly. Ironically, the hospital is the last place you’d want to go if you actually needed rest. There are rounds, vital checks, meds, meals, treatment protocols, social workers, dieticians,... Continue Reading →
Hot showers have always been one of my most favorite things in the whole world. When I’m tired, sick, stressed, worried, sleepy or wound up… a hot shower is always the cure to my ails. I love the calming caress of the water as it falls over my shoulders, melting away the tension and easing my worried... 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 →
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 →
Oliver's Odyssey 