While pregnant with my first child, I wondered if my disability would interfere with my ability to breastfeed. I am an amputee with only one arm, so I wouldn’t be able to use another hand to position the breast or to help the baby latch. The first lactation consultant did not know what to do […]
About Erin Andrews
The Perils of Spring Break
Happy Spring to all the disabled parents out there! First off I want to say that I recognize that for many people, traveling is not possible for several reasons including continued Covid concerns. My heart goes out, especially to those who have children under five who are unable to be vaccinated. Our family did not […]
Doing Disney as a Disabled Parent
Pre-pandemic, my family had been planning to take a a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. Like so many families, our travel plans were put on indefinite hold as we grappled with the realities of COVID-19 — virtual schooling, masks, hand washing, constant sanitizing, and of course, quarantine. We struggled to decide whether or […]
Disabled Parenting in a Pandemic
I don’t remember the first day or moment when the reality of the pandemic finally set in. I don’t remember exactly when my kids stopped going to school. The past 15 months in many ways has been a blur, but today I’m taking time to reflect on disabled parenting during a pandemic. At first, we […]
The Truth About the 100th Day of School
DISCLAIMER: I am not judging any of my fellow parents or their kiddos for participating in this, but I do hope my perspective will challenge you to think carefully about whether and how you decide to do so. I know that there is no ill intent, and that this is something meant to be fun and […]
The Place That Will Make You Actually Want to Take Your Kids to a Waterpark This Summer
Last June, I reviewed Morgan’s Wonderland, an “ultra-accessible” playground/theme park. I promised I’d visit the separate water park there, and we went in August 2019. I figured the middle of winter is as good a time as any to write about the experience! I’ll start by saying that I hate, absolutely hate and abhor the […]
How I Taught my Kids to Ride a Bike from a Wheelchair
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 […]
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: […]