A Boy and His Dog

By Sandy on April 12, 2011

Josiah absolutely loves our dog Mocha. It was an instant attraction for him. Not so sure it was for Mocha. A few years ago our children pleaded for a dog. We’ve always been dog people and have had many of them through the years. It was no surprise the kids were anxious for another one.

My husband however was not interested in a puppy. We have 5 children. More than enough to take care of. A puppy would just mean more work. He never was a dog lover. Not until I surprised him shortly after we were married with our first puppy. Didn’t take long for Rick to fall in love with Farley. That dog became such an important part of his life that even many years after he was gone, Farley’s face was the screen saver on Rick’s work computer.

If Ever

By Sandy on April 1, 2011

If ever I am so blessed, I will establish a non profit organization to helps families of children with disabilities, in a tropical location that looks like paradise with amazing amenities to delight all ages and ability levels, to pamper and to provide respite for the entire family at no expense to them.

Respite

By Sandy on March 31, 2011

The dictionary defines respite as a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. For caregivers, it simply means taking a break. Usually a much deserved break. Caregiving is difficult. Caregiving is challenging. Caregiving wears you out.

I’ve read tragic stories of parents of special needs children who take their child’s life and then their own. How absolutely horrific. I’m sure for anyone who has never walked in their shoes, it’s incomprehensible. We can’t imagine ever feeling so desperate that we’d resort to such an extreme. But it happens. More often than we’d care to believe.

He Made the Honor Roll

By Sandy on March 26, 2011

Here’s a little background on my son. He enjoys music. He loves bouncing. He loves to make vocalizations or as I refer to them, ‘happy sounds’. He likes things that move and spin and light up.

He loves to ride on the back of my bike and be pulled in a wagon. He enjoys movement. He loves to rough house and be tickled. He enjoys walking the dog and dragging pull toys that have long stings. He loves helium balloons. His enjoys Mardi Gras beads.

Friends

By Sandy on March 24, 2011

Sometimes I wonder if Josiah will ever have any friends. Children with severe challenges rarely do. Josiah is non-verbal, he doesn’t talk to the kids in his class, I’m not really sure they talk to him.

When he was a baby, we were in a playgroup for families of children with disabilities, mostly for the adult interaction. The little ones were too young to form any type of friendship.

To this day, our older girls remain friends with some of their former playgroup buddies from nearly 20 years ago. It won’t ever be that way for Josiah. I think his only lasting friendships may be with his siblings. I’m not all too sure that will ever happen. Read more…