When Ashlynn (my daughter with Logan Dias Syndrome that caused a host of disabilities) was younger, I’m not sure I ever pictured her riding an ATV. However, I remember excitedly buying her a power wheel for Christmas. She had just turned three. I had visions of her riding it up and down the sidewalk! I couldn’t wait for her to receive it! I remember taking this perfect photo and couldn’t
Ashlynn participated in her first middle school track meet with all general Ed peers. She was so excited to ride the bus there She smiled the entire time. Kids high-fived her and knew her name. She was included. She had a fan club there consisting of me and her dad, both sets of grandparents, her friend and his mom, and last year’s SPED teacher and para because I was so
When Ashlynn was three, I enrolled her in gymnastics. I knew it was going to be awesome. She was so cute in her little pink leotard and ponytail. I can still remember how much fun she had. I can also remember being heartbroken and sitting there hurting. The favorite activity was a long, large trampoline. The kids would all wait their turn and then happily jump forward down it with
If you’ve ever watched your baby fail to meet the simplest of milestones.. If you’ve sat in meetings and offices and were told things like 1% percentile If you’ve felt a pain you can’t describe that is only eased by hope.. You know why regression hurts so much. If you’ve ever driven your child back and forth to countless therapies.. If you’ve ever felt a mix of pride, happiness, grief
We are currently in the middle of the COVID 19 pandemic. I think it’s week 4. I’m not sure. Time blurs. I was feeling it yesterday. The weight of it all. Not being able to leave the house. All the closures. Working from home while teaching my children and doing their assignments with them. The unknown about when this will end. All the cancelled events. I wrote last night I
I never knew before I had a child with an IEP (individualized education plan), how awful these meetings can be for parents.