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 […]
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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 […]
Seeking LGBTQ+ Parents with Disabilities
The DPP is looking for LGBTQ+ Parents and Prospective Parents with Disabilities! It’s Pride Month, and we are celebrating! Enter a chance to win a $50 Amazon® Gift Card by writing for the Disabled Parenting Project (DPP) blog. The DPP is seeking guest blogs written by LGBTQ+ parents and prospective parents with disabilities on sexual orientation […]
Breastfeeding Advice for Mothers with Disabilities
Presentation from February 2017 for the Ohio Lactation Consultants Association Breastfest Conference
Playing Indoors: Advice from a Mother with a Disability
I didn’t grow up playing outside all that often. Partially because of my disability, and partially because we weren’t raised playing outside of the house. When I was younger, it wasn’t something we did and looking back on it, the lack of outdoor activity doesn’t make me feel like I missed out on a great […]
A Gift for Mother’s Day
It is that time of year – Mother’s Day. For years, I worried I might never get the chance to become a mother. I was not totally sure, growing up with a physical disability, that I would be able to have children. I was even less sure that I could find a good partner who […]
Mother: Reflections from a Mother with a Disability
I am a mother. I carried my child in my womb and I felt his movements. His heartbeat kept time with mine because he came from me… He is mine. I am his mother. I use a wheelchair. And yet, that has never changed the fact that I am his mother. There is pain, (there […]