You came home crying one day because a boy at school insulted you —said something “bad” about your mama. Tears of anger and hurt rolled down your little boy face when you explained the boy had said that your mama’s in a wheelchair, and you punched him for saying that, I guess, because in your […]
son
Holiday Traditions: Reflections from a Disabled Mother
My family has always been big on Christmas. I started shopping in the middle of October this year. I am officially a Christmas freak! I love the lights, the music, and the nog! Try not to the judge me for putting up the tree before Thanksgiving, but I have to strategize where the “parking space” […]
A Mother’s Rant
I hate it when someone refers to me me as “not normal.” I absolutely detest it. There is no such thing as “normal” to me. We live in a world full of different people; diversity is one of the most beautiful traits of humanity. I have seen different groups of people come together as a […]
Adventures in Parenting
My son is one of the most interesting characters I have ever met. When all the news came about regarding the “reformed” health care bill, he realized very quickly that it was unfair to his mommy and her friends. I was both sad and proud of his reaction. His ability to empathize with others never […]
Potty Training Made Easier As A Disabled Mom
Potty Training your toddler can be a daunting task for any parent, much less one who has a disability. When I started training my son during the day, I’d lead him to the bathroom every twenty to thirty minutes so there wouldn’t be the inevitable accident most parents dread. This went on until he got […]
The ADA and Disabled Motherhood
I became a mom in the early days of the ADA, back when just the idea of disabled women becoming mothers was revolutionary. And it’s not that disabled mothers or disabled parents did not exist. Disabled parents have always existed, but have done so behind the scenes of other people’s lives because being fully in charge […]
Raising Noah
Before I had my son, Noah, I wondered what kind of a Mom I would be. I knew that I wanted to be as involved as I possibly could in his care. I also knew that I could not do everything I want to without help, at least for first few years. Although 90% of […]
We’ve Only Just Begun
Yes, I am aware that I quoted The Carpenters in the title. This is the attitude which I am taking today. Progress is a process, and it isn’t always easy. My son is becoming more conscious of the fact that spasticity can severely limit my movements. Mommy is very tired most of the time. This […]
The Challenges and Rewards of Parenting with a Disability
Hello my name is Tory, I am a parent with a 3 boys and I have Cerebral Palsy, my husband also has Cerebral Palsy. I work at our local independent living center as a peer advocate counselor and my husband works in the office for students with disabilities at a community college. Parenting with a disability […]
A Life With A Difference
We were thinking about Lio and how his upbringing will be different in some ways to other children. Living with a disability has it’s ups and downs, but how will Lio be affected by growing up around disability? His immune system seems to be very good, which I am sure is due to lots of different people […]