What’s it like to be a special needs parent? We’ve been on this parenting journey for almost two and half years now. And we started out the gate as special needs parents. Very few people choose the special needs world. For the rest of us we are thrust into this …
I’ve never really been one for learning a new language. In fact, when everyone else was learning Spanish or French, my middle school self decided to pick Latin – a dead language. I ended up taking many years of Latin and I really don’t have much to show for it. …
We just finished Harper’s annual review through Early Intervention (EI) this week. EI is an amazing program. It provides resources such as occupational and speech therapy for children under 3 years old that need a little extra help meeting developmental milestones. Every state and county is different, but we are …
You never know when it is going to hit you. A reminder that your child is different and not following a typical path of development. Harper turned two this week and since we had an at-birth diagnosis this also marks two years into our Down syndrome journey. As I reflect …
Harper turns 2 next month (I can’t believe I have a toddler!) and since we had an at-birth diagnosis, it also marks my entrance into all things Down syndrome. I still consider myself a newbie, but I have spent the last two years learning, listening and reading more about Down …
We live on Harper’s timeline. Down syndrome impacts Harper’s development. From walking to talking, she has to work harder to achieve what comes more naturally to typically developing children. The pressure to meet milestones with her peers is minimal. For the most part Harper’s pace is a delightful place to …
I didn’t research anything about Down syndrome for a couple months after Harper was born. To me research made it feel a little more real. I was content just focusing on taking care of my newborn. The little bit that I would look up I would actually use an incognito …
Whether it’s days or weeks, a NICU stay is hard. It is emotionally draining and physically exhausting as it interrupts your at-home recovery time. Since you didn’t get to take your baby home with you straight away, there’s a sense of loss and missing out. It’s a waiting period with …
When we received Harper’s diagnosis in the hospital, one of the first things the doctor asked was if we would like to be connected to local resources. This is one of the best things medical professionals can do when giving this life changing diagnosis. We said yes and soon after …
A few years ago I was trialing a gym very close to my house. I walked into a Zumba class and this man approached me saying he knew me. I was taken aback at first because I did not recognize this man at all, but then he quickly said, “You …
