Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day.  My oldest son and his darlin' wife cooked this year, and it was just wonderful.  My hubby, my grand daughters and I played a game called Headbands, and we laughed . . . A LOT.

On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for that laughter.  I am thankful that I have family close by, and that I have a few friends that I can count on.  I am thankful that I have life's basics, like food and shelter.

I thank the disability community that has surrounded me with love and support for many years now, and I am hopeful that I have loved and supported another parent on my life's path.

And last, I am thankful that I actually seem to be learning this blog business. LOL

Happy Thanksgiving to All!  :-)

That Darned "R" word!!

This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend a workshop with a small group of people.  It was kind of like a spiritual retreat.  I really looked forward to having an opportunity to just clear my mind and escape from reality for just a little while.

At the workshop, the participants were having lots and lots of discussion and presenting lots and lots of questions to our group’s facilitator.

Suddenly, one of my co-participants made a comment that brought me right back to reality!  I was crushed.  I was sad.  I was angry.  My “spiritual escape” was interrupted when this classmate made a remark that I wasn’t prepared for.  Well, my blogging buddies, she said the “R” word.  *sigh*   And, yes, she used it in the one way that just makes me want to either “fight or flight”.  She described a group of people with the word – used as an insult to this group of people.

My brain went in a million directions.  I believe I made a gasping sound, because the facilitator looked right at me, and seemed to sense that I was reacting to the “WORD”.

And then, I raised my hand and I said:  “I have got to say something here.  I have a gorgeous, humorous, intelligent, and wonderful son, who happens to have Down syndrome.  I need to share with you that using the “r” word, exactly the way it was just used is very offensive to me.  In my eyes, it is no different than making a racial slur.  I don’t want to pull a Dennis Miller and go on a rant here, but I do have to bring this to your attention.  If I do not take this opportunity to teach a lesson in respect, I will have let my son down.”  And then I smiled at the group, and at the woman who had made the comment.

During the break that followed, the woman came up to me and apologized.  I asked her if she thought she would use the term again as an insult, and she said she was quite sure it would never happen again.  I said:  “Apology accepted”, and we chatted for a few minutes until the class started up again.

It breaks my heart every time I hear the “r” word used in this manner.  I am hopeful though, that just maybe, I have helped one person understand the harm in using the word to insult anyone.

We can change the world…one person at a time.  

Happy November!

It's been a while since I have posted on this blog.  I wish I had a great excuse, but the truth is. . . I am still learning about this new world known as blogging!  I sometimes feel like Dorothy, when she realizes that she is not in Kansas anymore.  :)


I watch my son Kristopher as he pops in and out of programs on his computer, and I find myself smiling.  Kris is my darlin' youngest son (24).  He has Down syndrome.  I watch him on his computer and I sometimes flash back to the day that a pediatrician came to my hospital bedside and told me that my son had Down syndrome.  He told me not to expect anything from "this boy".  And he told me that there were places for "children like him". 


And you know, it's true. . . there ARE places for children like him.  Grocery stores,schools,  movie theaters, bowling alleys, parks and beaches. . . to name a few!!


So then, even though I feel like the answer to my blogging angst is somewhere at the end of the yellow brick road. . . with emotional support from my son Kris, I do believe I will get there.  :-)


I will post again SOON, as long as nobody drops a house on me.


Meantime . . . take care, and happy internetting!

Disability Rights Florida is now accepting input about what its specific 2012 goals should be. 

Please share your opinion with them by answering their planning survey. The survey will be open until July 15, 2011.

There are many different ways to submit your survey answers.

Visit Disability Rights Survey Page to access on-line, print and translated surveys as well as a phone number to call if you need assistance. 


Let Disability Rights know what you and your family would like to see!

Summer Survival

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.  ~James Dent 

Summer can be a stressful time for families. So many issues, such as day care, summer camp, bored children, and more.  

Here is a website that offers some summer survival tips:. Tips!.

Why not share your "Summer Survival Tips" with other families?

I am looking forward to hearing from you! 

Virtual School - What's Next?

I'm sure it is obvious from my picture that I am a Baby Boomer. I remember growing up and promising myself that I would ABSOLUTELY NOT talk to my children about how things were different in "my day".

Well..."Boy, things were different in my day!" :-)

Florida Gov. Rick Scott confirmed his support Tuesday for a bill that expands online K-12 education in Florida, a good indication the measure will become law this year.

After approval Tuesday in its final Senate committee stop, both chambers are now poised to vote on bills (SB 1620, HB 7197) that would require all students take an online course before graduating, would allow kindergarten students to take online classes, and allow virtual charter schools to offer full or part-time online classes.


My grand niece starts kindergarten next year, maybe I should take online classes with her!

To read more, click here.

Worried About The Babies

I am receiving alerts that Part C (the infant and toddler program) is in jeopardy.

Twenty three years ago, I found myself calling every provider in the phone book trying to find SOMEONE who could provide early intervention services to my son.  Back then, there was no Early Steps program…there were very few services available to the babies who had disabilities.

I suppose I became that “squeaky wheel” that we’ve all heard of.  However, after months and months of calling providers every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – and after, literally, bumping into an Occupational Therapist at the supermarket (I crashed into her legs with my cart!) who was new to the area and wanting to work with babies (I hooked her up with my phone tree)…MAGIC!!

Kris was the first infant ever to receive early intervention services at the local hospital.  They even decorated a room just for him (and the little ones who followed).

The services were not in the “natural environment”, but the people who provided those services soon came to really care about Kris, and they celebrated every milestone with our family.

I often think of those providers and hold a warm place in my heart for each of them!

It truly makes my heart hurt when I think that there is a possibility that another family will one  day be as lost and scared as mine was…trying to do what’s best for their baby.