Them some big holes to fill: A tribute to Sharon Gretz

I cried last night.  Not just a few tears either.  Big, ugly, chest heaving tears.  I think my husband was a little taken aback.   It’s not that’s he’s never seen me cry, but it’s not very often and it’s usually because something really big happened.  They can be happy or sad tears, but the events that inspire a full on cry have usually been big, like the birth of

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Apraxia would have destroyed me

I often think about what would have happened had it been me who had apraxia, dyspraxia, SPD, dysarthria, and a learning disability when I was young.  It’s pointless I know, but I was/am a perfectionist.  That’s not a good thing.  I learned early I was really good at spelling, reading and writing, but math I had to work for.  I won a math award in 3rd grade and I looked

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The Rise

The Rise

I have Ashlynn on a new game plan.  We had to take a break from her private speech because of unforseen financial issues in our life, but now we are back and better than ever. She’ll be seeing her awesome private SLP again on Tuesdays (who just happens to be my mentor, friend, and speech mom), and then Wednesdays we have insurance finally paying for 20 sessions, which is not

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Apraxia and the village.

I work in the schools a few days along with my private practice work.  I say I work in the schools because I like working in Ashlynn’s school, and that’s partially true.  However, I have always in my career had at least one child on my caseload with apraxia in every school in which I have worked. If you have a child with apraxia, you’re probably thinking, “what’s the big

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It’s like juggling 8 balls at one time desperately hoping one doesn’t roll away

It’s like juggling 8 balls at one time desperately hoping one doesn’t roll away

There is not one day that goes by I don’t think of Ashlynn’s disability (ies).  As a basis of comparison, I have my four year old son.  He has some concerning behavior issues, and I do think (worry) about them often; however, I do not think of it EVERY SINGLE DAY. Apraxia and dyspraxia make that impossible.  There is always something else to worry about.  Something else in which I

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Neurology, delays, a dream, and a miracle.

Most parents of kids who have a child with global apraxia will at some point visit the neurologist.  It’s usually before the age of 7, which is the age Ashlynn is today. I remember the referral, although the dates are a little fuzzy.  We were either at Ashlynn’s 6 or 9 month checkup and I had to fill out one of those dreaded developmental screens.  Don’t get me wrong, as

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