This is a toughie. It can be downright hard, because there are so many emotions tied up with the holidays. We have expectations. Christmas is supposed to be a time where we express our love and gifts are a way we do that. What if the child, who has special needs, doesn’t like their gift? What if they don’t play … Read More
May Is Williams Syndrome Awareness Month!
Most of you are familiar with the fact that my 16 year old son has Williams Syndrome. It’s an exceptionally intricate genetic syndrome that affects so many things about him. His heart. His mental capabilities. He’s in high school and he doesn’t have the dexterity to manipulate a button. But he loves. Oh, how he loves! I posted about WS … Read More
An Introduction to Williams Syndrome
The Williams Syndrome Association put out a wonderful video that touches on some of the main points of Williams Syndrome. I know so many of the beautiful faces in this video, and it fills me with joy. When my son was first diagnosed with WS, we weren’t in contact with anybody else who had it, and felt horrifically alone. (I … Read More
Christmas Gifts for Children with Special Needs
What does Juan want? What does he really want, not “what do I think Juan should want?”
Preparing Your Child with Special Needs for School
This is an old blog post and Niko is now in high school, but it’s still relevant. As school time rolls around, there are always things we can do to help the transitions become easier. Happy school year! I can’t tell you the tears, both his and mine, that have ensued because of new schools. This is my darling Niko. … Read More
Print Date for Little Dead Red!
The publisher assured me that Little Dead Red and Other Stories will be printed by June 29. That’s this week, you guys! That’s this very week! I have a very scary sedation appointment for my sweet son the day before (Williams Syndrome/autism make everything difficult) so holding this hot little number in my hands will make it all worth it. … Read More
Christmas Gifts for Children with Special Needs
This is a toughie. It can be downright hard, because there are so many emotions tied up with the holidays. We have expectations. Christmas is supposed to be a time where we express our love and gifts are a way we do that. What if the child, who has special needs, doesn’t like their gift? What if they don’t play … Read More
This Is What Williams Syndrome Looks Like
And it’s beautiful. This is my son, Niko, now 14 years old.
The Thing No Parent Wants To Think Of
Comfortable? Not at all. Necessary? Absolutely. It’s something that my husband and I have discussed for a long time. Niko is friendly, gregarious, and just as apt to sit on somebody’s lap now as he was when he was two years old. Kisses from a toddler are darling. From a teenager who can’t read the situation? Not so much. And … Read More
A Different Kind of Christmas Present
Niko, my darling boy, is 13 this year. He has Williams Syndrome, and like a lot of kiddos with WS, he’s difficult to buy for. One year he asked for an escalator, and Santa pulled a few tricks out of his bag for that one. He doesn’t attach to typical things, generally. He doesn’t particularly care about gifts, and that … Read More