Anxiety and PTSD. What you don’t know about special needs parenting.

Anxiety and PTSD. What you don’t know about special needs parenting.

Can everyone agree parenting is stressful? I’m sure we all can.  I read something the other day though that perfectly described my life. “If parenting can feel like a roller coaster of anxiety, than special needs parenting is a whole carnival.”  I’ve also read that PTSD is common among parents of kids with special needs. I’ve also read and seen quoted a very popular article: Autism moms have stress similar

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Apraxia is for the BEST?

Apraxia is for the BEST?

The 2016 National Conference on Childhood Apraxia of Speech has come to an end. As I sit in the plane, I look at the burnt orange, red, and brown sunset setting over wispy clouds and the windy city. Since I live in Denver, we are flying west, and it feels like we are literally flying into the setting sunset sky. I get to reflect on my time here in Chicago,

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Apraxia National Conference: A candle in the window

Apraxia National Conference: A candle in the window

It’s been three years since I last attended the national conference on apraxia. At that time, my daughter had been diagnosed with apraxia for just under a year, and I was still scared and sad about what the future held for my sweet Ashlynn. I re-read my blog post I wrote after that conference, and it didn’t begin to capture all the emotions I had at that time, or what

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She is a fighter, not of guts and glory, but one of understated grace.

She is a fighter, not of guts and glory, but one of understated grace.

Well, Ashlynn completed Kindergarten.  It was pretty anti-climactic to be honest.  For some reason, her school doesn’t believe in Kindergarten graduations.  Okay, it’s not for “some reason,” it’s because the philosophy of the school is that graduations signify an end and Kindergarten is just a beginning. I get it…kind of.  Actually no, I don’t get it at all.  If that were the case, we wouldn’t celebrate any graduation because technically

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Denver Walker Spotlight: Team Kellan

Denver Walker Spotlight: Team Kellan

I Walk for apraxia for my son Kellan and for all of the other precious kiddos that battle apraxia alongside of Kellan. I want Kellan to be able to receive all of the crucial services and therapy he needs in order to be successful, and by walking for Apraxia, I can help other children in need receive those services too. I Walk because I want to help educate others and

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Our kids need to meet others just like them.

Our kids need to meet others just like them.

This 4th Annual Apraxia Awareness day (it was trending, did you hear?), I organized a fundraiser at a local Chipotle to benefit the Walk for Childhood Apraxia of Speech.  I have a HUGE goal of 30K.  The walk last year made 16K, so basically I set this goal to double that. I’m probably crazy, but I set that goal with good reason.  That number ensures a visit for a free

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