Parenting

One thing that has changed is how I navigate the winter holiday season with Andrew. As an infant and even as a toddler, celebrating the holidays was pretty much typical. Gift giving and holiday celebrations weren't a challenge during those early years. Andrew's abilities weren't as delayed then. Comforting a crying baby during large family gatherings was just what many new parents experienced. Time with family, gift giving, and establishing our own family traditions was how those early years flowed.

12/10/2024 12:00:00 AM

After caring for my son Andrew for 20 years, this is what I wish I could tell my younger self.

11/5/2024 12:00:00 AM

Our triplets – Knox, Navie, and Noa – were born on October 19, 2023. We are now blessed with four beautiful children, all born within 2.5 months of each other. Charlie turned one in July, and the triplets will turn one in October. Tennessee holds a special place in our hearts, and after the triplets were born, we decided to take a trip to Knoxville to visit the National Embryo Donation Center, where we adopted the embryos.

9/24/2024 12:00:00 AM

From the beginning of our relationship, my husband and I bonded on our love of exploring and traveling to new places. Whether it was an hour-long road trip or a plane ride to a new part of the country, we knew that once we started a family it was important to both of us to share our love of traveling with our kids. Our firstborn son came into this world with difficulty. A 14-day stay in the NICU would uncover our son's brain bleed, and we were told that he would likely have a challenging life.

6/11/2024 12:00:00 AM

A routine ultrasound in May 2023 unveiled an unexpected surprise: triplets. The question of whether I could contribute meaningfully to raising three children loomed large. Determined to adapt, I embraced creative solutions, leading to what I now term "adaptive parenting."

2/20/2024 12:00:00 AM

At only 20 years old, I gave birth to a nine pound, bouncing baby boy. I was overjoyed and I dreamed of the day when he would be a star athlete or an astronaut. I could see his future and the sky was the limit. But then, at the age of one and a half, my son Cory was still struggling to walk.

11/1/2023 12:00:00 AM

Please note that the recommendations and opinions provided in this blog are solely based on my personal experiences and research. I am not endorsed by any of the companies mentioned in my recommendations. Before making any purchase, I recommend conducting your own research to ensure that a product is suitable for your needs.

10/3/2023 12:00:00 AM

As I grew older and the World Wide Web became much easier to access, I began my search for all the books focusing on characters with a disability that I could get my hands on. In fact, I even wrote one myself, so that no other kid in a wheelchair would ever have to grow up not seeing themselves represented in a storybook character. Here is a list of seven children's books that have a main character with a disability.

8/15/2023 12:00:00 AM

Living as a person with a disability has its challenges. As a result of a motor vehicle accident in 2003, I am a T-12 incomplete paraplegic. Over my many years as a wheelchair user, I have generally figured out ways to make things work for my specific needs and have done my best to prepare for what life throws at me. However, when my husband and I decided to have a baby, I was absolutely unprepared for what I would unknowingly go through.

8/1/2023 12:00:00 AM

The reason I write is to help others. When I started out on this journey with my baby, I was young at age 23. I would have loved to have blogs from other parents and caregivers. The more advice, the better. That doesn't mean I would have had to use it all, and neither do you. But if even one thing helps you, then I have met my purpose. I hope all of you will use this piece of advice: focus on the joys!

6/23/2023 12:00:00 AM

You may not believe it, but about 19% of the American population has a disability. Taking on the role of caregiver to a loved one with a disability is a kind, though challenging, pursuit. It can be difficult to know where to start, let alone how to get help along the way. Here are six tips for keeping the loved one you are for happy and healthy.

9/21/2021 12:00:00 AM

I always tell people that I have the pleasure of having a mother with a disability. She taught me so much in how to be independent with a disability. There was never any second-guessing on me taking a chance on exploring my boundaries to be independent.

2/16/2021 12:00:00 AM

Becoming a new parent is scary, but when you know your child has a mental or physical disability, it can be even more overwhelming. Make the transition a little easier by planning now for your future with these simple tips.

8/25/2020 12:00:00 AM

Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and is incredibly beneficial to physical and mental well-being. Sometimes, children with disabilities find certain types of exercise difficult or disability-exclusive, but there are options that make physical activity accessible (and fun) for children of all ages and abilities.

1/7/2020 12:00:00 AM

When we think of accessible playgrounds, we often first think of the child. But accessibility means inclusive for all, and that includes parents. Through inclusive playgrounds, children of all abilities are able to play side-by-side. And the inclusivity doesn't stop there—with more accessible features like rubberized surfaces, even parents who use wheelchairs can become more involved in their child's play.

9/24/2019 12:00:00 AM

With Spring upon us and Easter fast approaching, many families will soon be planning their annual Easter egg hunt. Whether you and your children participate in your local community festivities or create your own at home, it is important to make sure that all kids (and adults!) can join in the fun. Everyone, special needs or not, wants to be included! These tips and tricks are to help make things a little easier on the children and their families that prefer some accommodations.

4/9/2019 12:00:00 AM

The adaptation and development of games for children with disabilities is fundamental for the progression and stimulation of children with accessibility issues. We musn't forget that universal design in games and toys benefits the whole of society, as it allows everyone, with or without a disability, to share resources and moments of joy.

4/2/2019 12:00:00 AM

As adults, it is our privilege and responsibility to teach our children about the world and the way in which it works. Some lessons seem to come more naturally than others. "Don't touch the hotplate" and "look before you cross the road" balance readily on the tips of our tongues. Talking to children about disability seems harder, perhaps because we, too, have so much left to learn.

3/19/2019 12:00:00 AM

Summer has come and gone, and school has started. It's a time of getting our kids settled into a new routine, including getting to and from school in a safe manner. For some, this means navigating their way through not only their child's transportation, but his/her wheelchair as well. You would think this should be an easy task to coordinate, but unfortunately it appears to be uncharted territory.

9/25/2018 12:00:00 AM

The arts can be a valuable tool to support the education and emotional development of children with learning disabilities. Engaging in creative arts helps kids with special needs cope with their behavioral issues. Art also helps with coordination, motor skills, and socialization. From painting and drawing to drama and music, there are plenty of different avenues you can take to get children involved in the arts.

9/4/2018 12:00:00 AM

First of all, as a general rule for anyone, DON'T STARE. But please, whatever you do, DON'T STARE AT PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS. I personally hate it when people stare at me. When people stare at me it makes me feel like I am different when I am really not so different than you.

7/31/2018 12:00:00 AM

According to the most recent statistics, there are more than four million parents with disabilities raising children in the United States. By most accounts, it's an underserved population, one with relatively few resources. By contrast, there's an abundant supply of online information about parenting children with disabilities, where to turn for advice, special equipment, and more. Parents with disabilities often have to rely on others in the disability community for advice on creating a safe and efficient home environment.

6/12/2018 12:00:00 AM

As a parent to a child who uses a wheelchair, I was honored to be asked to write a blog for LiveQuickie. I asked a few times what I should write about? Some of the suggestions included advice to other parents, Talia's story, traveling, traditions, basically anything I wanted. I agreed that telling my daughter Talia's story was the best way to begin.

1/23/2018 12:00:00 AM

Adaptive sports play a vital role in the lives of kids who use wheelchairs. I learned this firsthand growing up with spina bifida and being exposed to numerous adaptive sports opportunities. Now I see it in action every day as the Executive Director of ABLE Youth, a youth wheelchair sports and independence nonprofit in Nashville, Tennessee.

4/11/2017 12:00:00 AM

After three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit, Josh was ready to be airlifted by private jet to the Shepherd Center. This trip was delayed for several days due to his very low blood pressure. Finally the day came and he was loaded up and ready to go! I left hours before Josh did, in hope arriving before he got there. The timing was perfect. Within 15 minutes of my arrival, he arrived in a local ambulance that met him at the airport.

12/21/2016 12:00:00 AM

In addition to his C5-C6 incomplete spinal cord injury, Josh sustained a fractured pelvis, perforated bladder, fractured sternum, fractured left elbow, T4 compression fracture, and contused lung from nearly being impaled by a large stick just below his left scapula. The elbow fracture would require surgery to repair. However, we had to wait on this due to his dangerously low blood pressure.

12/13/2016 12:00:00 AM

It was a beautiful autumn morning on Thursday, October 18th, 2007. The morning sunshine was brilliant as it danced on the colorful leaves. Unbeknownst to me, hundreds of miles away in Kentucky, my son Josh climbed into an unfamiliar sports car for a quick spin.

12/6/2016 12:00:00 AM