I received a call from an unknown number. It was a young gal at Peninsula High calling around 8pm. She said, “Hi, This is Aidynn Oschman, and I am Ryan’s buddy for the Freshmen Link Crew. Freshmen Orientation is Wednesday from 9-12 and Ryan will be in my small group.” My son, Luke, and Aidynn were friends in middle school and I thought may still be friends. I knew she was probably familiar Continue Reading
To The Mom Who Told Me to Fix My Child
Author’s Note: I wrote this piece, with permission, after a friend shared about how other moms were responding to her and her little girl. This is not exactly her story, but a combination of stories shared to me through the years, and my own observations. Thank you for reading. Dear Moms, We are all in the trenches of this thing called Motherhood. Together. It is Continue Reading
Undercover
I see you. I know you are out there. I think about you. And I care. A lot. You are the mom whose child has a diagnosis, but no one knows. You are the mom whose child does not have a diagnosis, but you know he or she could have one. You are the mom with a child who is different, quirky, has unique struggles, but yet has no diagnosis. You are the mom who is too afraid to seek Continue Reading
I Give, You Give
Recently, my caseworker asked me to make a list of all the things I do for Ryan. Daily, weekly, appointments, driving, etc. ALL. OF. IT. And the list is long. And he is 14 years old. Today!! As I wrote and reviewed the list, asked hubby and our beloved behaviorist/sitter to give input, well, it made me kind of sad. Sad to see it all there in black and white. His incredible DEPENDENCE, and Continue Reading
I Always Think About Those Moms
With Mothers’ Day approaching fast, my heart beats fast for THOSE moms. You know. THOSE moms. The ones who don’t really get a Mother's Day celebration. The ones who never-ever get a mommy break. They don’t even know what that means. The ones who live across the world and hide with their children so as not to be kidnapped, raped, or sold into sex slavery. The ones who live on the Continue Reading