Allow me to set the background for you. Me Before You is the story of a man who after becoming a quadriplegic, finds the prospect of living with disabilities so terrible, he decides to opt for euthanasia. I would also like to add the character is wealthy because money always matters. A little bit about […]
adapting
Figuring Out Life Hacks as a Disabled Parent
In 1991, my husband Marc and I brought our newborn baby girl home when she was 9 days old. At the time, we lived in an apartment with several steps to enter. This was just the first of many challenges I had to navigate as a disabled parent. I was born with Larsen’s Syndrome (LS), […]
Motherhood
As I am writing this, my son is watching an animated feature film about accepting others unconditionally via monsters! At six, his questions are incessant. Some of those questions involve my disability: “Mommy, why can’t you walk?” “Will we need an elevator in this house forever?” “Why don’t they build steps that can turn into […]
Spastic Mama: It’s hard for you Mommy. Let me Help.
My son is nearly three and loves to cook, especially for friends. It’s not uncommon for him to wake me up in the morning, pull the pillows and blankets off the bed and declare we are having a party. “Mommy get up, get up! Friends are coming! Let’s make muffin cakes.” With muscles not yet […]
Diving in, Wheelchair First
Dreaming of becoming a parent chooses you. You don’t get to choose the journey. With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and using a power wheelchair while requiring care for my basic needs, many would think being a parent wouldn’t be a dream I’d have, let alone pursue. I am a mother to a nearly 5 month-old […]
A Tale of Toilets: Happy Unbirthday to You!
The other night my husband and I took my 98-year-old grandmother out to dinner with our two young children. My son, age 4, seems to always need to use the restroom. Seriously – his record is 5 pitstops in one meal! Anyway, this was a small Mexican restaurant with a single use bathroom. We were […]
Top 10 Strategies for Avoiding Unnecessary Shopping Trips
As a blind mom of two toddlers who also happens to have a husband with an unpredictable work schedule; I pride myself on being prepared. I don’t usually get the opportunity to go food shopping (if ever) and I can’t live my life relying on the kindness of strangers to feed my family. Since having […]
Learning to Adapt
This is the first morning of school after Spring Break, and if you are a parent going through the same routine, I salute you. My son is the most wonderful experience that I will ever have, but sometimes I just want to put my power chair at full speed and drive away screaming! I am […]
The “Real” Reason I’m A Helicopter Mom
Helicopter mom. If you’re a millenial parent, then surely you’ve heard term. Those of us bestowed with this less than charming title are given it because we tend to “hover” over our children in public, swooping in to rescue them at the first sign of danger. Venture over to any public playground and you will […]