Opinion, Parenting

A Week in the life of a Special Needs Parent

For about a week I have been asked to submit a post for the Friendship Circle Blog.

Where is it?

Maybe this will help It’s the week before Thanksgiving and we are in the middle of parent-teacher conferences.

So where is my blog post?

The dog ate it.  Not really, but sometimes as the parent of a child with disabilities, the reason that I am late or that I have not slept very much just doesn't seem believable--even to me.

Time to talk

I had a speaking engagement at a local university.  As a guest lecturer I can offer insights to students and develop an understanding and compassion needed for families experiencing disabilities.  This did not help me with the blog.

Mix in a little Jury Duty

I had jury duty.  I am a proud American.  It gives all my children and my daughter with disabilities access to a wonderful education.  However, arriving at jury duty took the coordination and skill of leaving the country for an extended vacation.

Time to listen

My daughter had religion class this week with a hundred other 8th graders.  Since I assist her, I had religion class too.  When the topic arose, I spoke of courage and how proud I am that she has courage to live gracefully in a world that judges her harshly because of her disabilities.  Her peers cheered.  No blog.

Time for Speech

I took my daughter to speech class.  The teacher used the iPad like a mirror and recorded my daughter’s session.  I am learning a lot however this did not result in a blog.

Time for School

The next semester started this week for my daughter at school.  Several long-term projects are due.  Some of the assignments came home without instructions.  Since my daughter cannot talk and tell me the instructions, this took time to send emails and notes.  No blog

Time for Doctors

The Friendship Circle has a wonderful blog about a diagnosis and medication that may also help my daughter.  Several calls have been made to neurologists and two different hospitals on my daughter’s behalf.  No blog. I am living the rich and fulfilling life of a parent of a child with disabilities. And This Is My Blog Post