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 […]
society
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 […]
Rolling with the Punches
The parenting journey is never easy. There is always a new challenge to be faced or a new question to be answered. The experience is full of ups and downs; to say otherwise would be dishonest. My munchkin is facing his own journey through school and karate. There are tears sometimes, and giggles most of […]
Adventures in Disabled Parenting
“You’ll never have children.” I distinctly remember the conversation with my doctor when I was 18, and at the time that was the farthest thought from my mind so it really didn’t bother me. I thought, “I’ll have nieces and nephews and that will fill that void if I ever feel it.” Being born with […]
My Disability Is Not An Excuse for Bad Manners
Six months after being declared legally blind, the universe threw me the mother of all curve balls when I discovered I was pregnant. Adapting to my newly acquired disability while simultaneously preparing to become a mom was extremely overwhelming. I found myself in desperate need of emotional support. There was a time when I made […]
The ADA is Turning 26: My Rights as a Parent are Not Protected
Twenty-six years ago, through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), our nation committed itself to eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities. Despite the tremendous progress we have made in improving the accessibility of our streets, buildings, and public transportation, the ADA has not protected the rights of parents with disabilities. The ADA and other disability […]
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 […]
Spastic Mama: The Public Parent
It was a sweltering day, with blurred eyed shoppers navigating through our local farmer’s market. My son howled for strawberry lemonade — waiting in a long line with a squirmy three-year-old, keeping patience among a herd of thirsty adults was a challenge. “Why do we wait mommy?” My son pleaded, shoving to the front of […]
Redefining Myself
I hate the word “normal.” In this age, when people are supposed to be more aware of issues like bullying, racism, etc., we are still fighting discrimination and intolerance. The reality is, humanity is humanity; there is good and there is bad. Sometimes, it seems, there is more bad than there is good… Sometimes. I […]