Last week, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) made history as she became the first United States senator to cast a vote on the Senate floor with a newborn in her arms. Senator Duckworth is also the first United States senator to give birth while in office. In and of themselves, both achievements are important steps in achieving […]
society
Ableism and Parenting
Ableism is real. Ableism is painful. Yet, for many of us disabled people, it can be difficult to paint the picture of what ableism looks like, or how it affects our lives, and, as disabled parents, how it affects our children and the way THEY see us. Going through some old photos I came across several […]
A Normal Life
They cried when I went back to work. They cried, and begged me not to go —begged me to stay with them like I’d done for so long. And although I might have appeared tough when I told them not to cry, my heart was already broken when I kissed them goodbye, and boarded the […]
Back-to-School Shopping and the Onlookers
Since I still have three children at home heading back to school this year that means we are going to hit our local Target and the mall! My guide dog Chiffon, my two youngest boys with their oldest sister Alina, and I all hit the mall to do the back-to-school shopping. My oldest son, Colin, […]
Mommy’s Nervous About Kindergarten, too!
Today, my daughter began Kindergarten. For the past several days, she’s expressed the typical fears and nervousness about starting at a new school with a new teacher in a new building with new friends to make and so on…. We talked about her feelings and I tried to help calm her anxiety by pointing out […]
First Day of School
It was your first day of school, and I remember being more nervous than you, and trying to hold back the tears, tears I think most moms experience when their babies go to school for the first time. But for me, that time, my tears also came from fears rooted in my past — […]
I am not a Superhero
I really, REALLY want to be! I want to be able to do everything at once, and though I know it isn’t quite logical, I’m disappointed whenever I realize my aspirations to be a supermom are impossible. I have even cried tears of frustration because of it. I love pop culture! I love movies! I will […]
The Test: Reflections from a Blind Mom
Have you ever been put to the test? Or, been asked to take the test? I’m sure you will know what I’m talking about once you hear my story… Somehow, whether, you are low vision, or totally blind, you have been appointed with the characteristic of independent. This independent label is almost never self-appointed, rather […]
The Challenges and Rewards of Parenting with a Disability
Hello my name is Tory, I am a parent with a 3 boys and I have Cerebral Palsy, my husband also has Cerebral Palsy. I work at our local independent living center as a peer advocate counselor and my husband works in the office for students with disabilities at a community college. Parenting with a disability […]
Taking Care of Myself (and Cora!)
Hey guys! I haven’t posted on here in forever. It’s been a combination of writer’s block and having a lot on my plate. Like, you know, this amazing and beautiful little girl that my wife and I made, Cora. I spend most of my time making her smile and coo at me. So, this blog sort of […]