Category - Special Needs

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Special Needs — Learning the Lingo
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Fall Is For Falling
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Words That Must Die
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A Video For A SPECIAL Sister
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I Judged Harshly and I Am Ashamed

Special Needs — Learning the Lingo

There are universal no-nos that need no explanation. Like the R-Word for instance. We don’t use it. Ever. And telling a parent that you’re so glad not to be in their shoes. Go there and you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of a knuckle sandwich. This isn’t a lecture. Truly. Unless you’re living this life, how are you expected to know? So just in case you’re unaware, there is also this distinction… “Is your child Special Needs?” versus “Does your child have special needs?” There is a significant difference. It’s important to identify that our daughter has needs which require special attention since they pose safety risks. Also, by identifying her particular needs, we can focus on areas of her development which require special modifications. But is she Special Needs? No. She’s Avery. She is who she is. Her special needs obviously exist, but they don’t define her. My daughter loves her family and her friends, she adores animals, and she is friendly and affectionate. She doesn’t like soup, but she loves chili. She likes the colour pink and riding her scooter and climbing at the park. She’s an ordinary kid with an extraordinary set of DNA.

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Fall Is For Falling

It seems my daughter’s inability to remain bipedal correlates with the season. It’s fall and boy has she fallen a lot this month. Off her bike onto the sidewalk, onto her head on the hardwood floor (probably didn’t help that she was sitting on an exercise ball on the couch at the time), in the grocery store, at the library, off the climber at the park and today, down the last four stairs face first onto the ceramic tile. Bruises, bumps and scrapes — nothing phases this tough kid. She falls and gets right back up. This temporary lapse in balance is likely the result of a growth spurt and her complete disregard for danger. I know it will pass — hopefully soon. In the meantime we struggle to keep her safe while still allowing her the freedom she so desperately craves. I’m tempted to put her in one of those inflatable sumo suits or wrap her from head-to-toe in protective bubble wrap. But that’s not the answer. Or is it? Would it be wrong to encase her in foam or follow behind her with a fluffy pillow or a giant catcher’s mitt? The best we can do is keep[…]

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A Video For A SPECIAL Sister

  He wanted a way to explain to his peers about how his sister is very different from, yet exactly the same as everyone else. Our son made this video to share with his schoolmates. He said it would be easier if people would just ask him what they want to know, instead of staring or whispering or making ignorant remarks. These are his words.  These are their photos.  This is his thoughtful message. *Over the course of a week he went from class to class to share this video with his schoolmates. He started by introducing his sister who was there with him. Then he played the video and answered questions at the end. Related: Creating a “Special Needs Script“

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I Judged Harshly and I Am Ashamed

  The “Mommy Wars” are ridiculous. Get a life ladies. Don’t judge, just parent. That said, I judged my head off the other day and I feel like a jerk.    I was grocery shopping with my daughter when she stopped in her tracks and announced, “I gotta go!”    “Just a sec, mummy just needs to grab a few more things.” I said absentmindedly.   I continued shopping. I only had a dozen items on my list — all healthy things because this is what we’re doing now. This week anyway. I spotted a larger woman and her bedraggled husband in the aisle ahead of me and I was shocked at what they had in their cart — the junkiest food you can imagine.    I made a snap judgement about them; based on their size, the way they were dressed and what they were buying. I made assumptions about their intelligence and I’m ashamed to even admit what else I thought. “Mummy, I have to go!” my daughter pleaded again. Whenever we shop at this particular grocery store she always has to go. I’m certain it’s because the toilet is on the second level and we need to[…]

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