Currently, my children are ages four (4) and eight (8); they are both non-disabled. It is important to me that they have a physically active lifestyle, even though I am in a wheelchair and limited in the range of activities that I can do. When my son was a toddler, I wanted him to be able […]
About Erin Andrews
Disabled Parenting Experience Review: Visiting “Ultra-Accessible” Morgan’s Wonderland
We live about an hour away from San Antonio, Texas, and I’ve long been aware of Morgan’s Wonderland, an attraction that is equal parts playground, carnival, and amusement park. What makes Morgan’s Wonderland unique is that it was developed so “those with and without disabilities can come together.” Philanthropist Gordon Hartman developed the park in honor […]
An Open Letter to Mothers of Disabled Children
As a disabled mother, I can’t help but reflect sometimes on my own entrance into the world. As a member of several online (primarily nondisabled) parenting groups, I find myself triggered by social media posts about babies born disabled or young children being diagnosed with disabilities. As a way to process my own emotions, I […]
Why I Can’t Hold Other People’s Babies
It has been an emotional week. On Wednesday, I went to my 4-year-old daughter’s preschool to talk to three of the classrooms about my disability. I’ve done this before when my son was in preschool. It went pretty well – my daughter accompanied me to each class, including hers. We read “We Can Go Anywhere: […]
Breastfeeding Advice for Mothers with Disabilities
Presentation from February 2017 for the Ohio Lactation Consultants Association Breastfest Conference
A Gift for Mother’s Day
It is that time of year – Mother’s Day. For years, I worried I might never get the chance to become a mother. I was not totally sure, growing up with a physical disability, that I would be able to have children. I was even less sure that I could find a good partner who […]
What Every Disabled Mother Should Know About Breastfeeding
Nicky Boyte was wearing a flowered sundress when I meet her to talk about her experience breastfeeding her son. The two of us zoom into the restaurant in our power chairs, swapping crip war stories as we settle in. Nicky’s been a disability advocate for years; she’s active with both ADAPT and Not Dead Yet. We […]
The Day I Dropped my Daughter on her Head
All parents have days that are harder than others, and times when we do or say things we later regret. And kids have accidents – they fall learning to walk, they don’t make it to the potty, and they never think about safety first. As a disabled mom, I think about safety perhaps even more than other […]
5 Misconceptions about Maternity Leave and Why ME-ternity is Ridiculous
So this article is trending: “I want all the perks of maternity leave — without having any kids.” It’s an interview with Meghann Foye, author of a book entitled “Meternity,” about how she believes that American society, and particularly woman, need to stop allowing our careers to control our lives and make more time for ourselves. […]
The Truth About the Short Bus
Now that I have a little boy getting ready to start kindergarten, I’ve already been thinking about the school bus. He’s fascinated by large vehicles and wants nothing more than to ride the school bus to kindergarten. He loves “The Wheels on the Bus” song and book. I’m pretty sure the day will quickly come […]