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 […]
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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: […]
Mindfulness In Chronic Illness
Throughout my childhood and early adulthood, I never gave much thought to mindfulness. Even during my short foray into Soto Zen Buddhism in my late teens, staying present, being aware of my body, emotions and mentality didn’t seem like something I should give much import to. All that changed, however, at age 28. I was […]
The “Mommy Guilt” When You Have a Child With a Rare Disease
Emergencies in my baby girl’s life were something of a biweekly event. Starting at about two months of age, I rushed my daughter to the Children’s ER often for gastric issues. These episodes consisted of her not being able to keep formula/food down, refusing to eat and screaming in pain that could not be comforted. […]
Remembering Carrie Ann Lucas
On Sunday, the disability community lost Carrie Ann Lucas, one of its fiercest members, and I lost a mentor, colleague, and above all, dear friend. Carrie Ann was a disabled mother, activist, and attorney. Carrie Ann died because of a broken health care system that does not value the lives of disabled people. Over the […]
DPP Celebrates the Life of Carrie Ann Lucas
The Disabled Parenting Project (DPP) joins the disability community in mourning the loss of Carrie Ann Lucas of Windsor, Colorado. Carrie was the dedicated mother of Heather, Asiza, Adrianne, and Anthony. A disabled mother and fierce advocate, Carrie devoted much of her life to disability rights advocacy, especially fighting for the rights of parents with […]
7 Truths About Blind Parenting Courtesy of Netflix’s Bird Box
Spoilers ahead, obviously. Sandra Bullock’s Bird Box landed on Netflix this holiday season, scaring the bejeezus out of an approximate 45 million subscribers, myself included. The movie begins by introducing the audience to Mallory (Bullock), seen sternly warning her two young children (oddly named “Boy” and “Girl”) to never remove their blindfolds or “they won’t make […]
Self-Care as a Disabled Mom
The subject of self-care seems to be very popular lately. It is something that I often forget to practice as a busy mom. Let’s be honest. Living the parenting journey has its ups and downs, and I love it. There are times, though, when I forget that I’m a person, too. Don’t get me wrong. […]
My Son’s Disability Taught Me to Be Proud of My Own Disability
This blog first appeared at Rooted in Rights and is being cross-posted with permission. When I was born, the doctors told my parents I was blind. That was the first line of my college application essay and the narrative starting point of my life. My parents took me to the doctor because my eyes were […]