Things to Think About

Boston, The Other, and Less Than

April 18, 2013

The photo above is one of many taken in the moments following the two bomb blasts that rocked the Boston Marathon on Monday. Although we all know that the people in the photos are real individuals with families and friends, it’s hard to wrap your head and heart around them, especially before you know their [...]

Continue reading…

We Want to Be Treated Like Everyone Else…Except When We Don’t

April 9, 2013

Despite the apparent forcefulness of last Tuesday’s rant on the Robert Ethan Saylor case, I struggled with the decision to post about it. The story picked up a lot of steam following the grand jury’s decision not to indict, but I’d been watching the case for weeks. In fact, I had a draft written several [...]

Continue reading…

Who Is To Blame For Ethan Saylor’s Death?

April 2, 2013

I’ve been asked my opinion on the Saylor case, and given that so many other bloggers in the special needs world have posited an opinion, I guess it’s time for me to make my thoughts known, as well. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, first read up on it here. And while you’re [...]

Continue reading…

Parenthood, You Broke My Heart

January 22, 2013

Monday was a holiday, both for Mr. Andi the kids. He opted to take Nathan fishing (a story in itself – be looking for a guest post from Mr. Andi later this week) while Sarah Kate and I stayed home. After the mad rush of the holidays and marathon weekend, I thought I’d spend the [...]

Continue reading…

My Thoughts on Newtown: Control, Stigma, Evil, and Love

December 15, 2012

In the aftermath of the incredible tragedy that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut, on Friday, I found myself desperately seeking answers. Who did this?…Did he have a troubled childhood?…Was he let into the building?…Did he have a grudge against someone in particular? Some of these questions have been answered, some have yet to be, and others [...]

Continue reading…

What I Really Want for Christmas

November 26, 2012

A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Andi asked me what I’d like to have for Christmas this year. My brain was blank. For the first time in, um…ever, I honestly couldn’t think of a single thing I wanted. I have everything I need, and most of what I want – at least if you take [...]

Continue reading…

Are You Crying Over Dog Food?

November 20, 2012

I love our dogs, but I wish they didn’t have to be fed and watered. It’s not that I’m cheap or lazy (not too lazy to feed the dogs, anyway). The problem isn’t with feeding and watering the dogs per se, it’s that their food and water needs to be accessible to them in case they [...]

Continue reading…

The Gift of Baby Megan

August 16, 2012

On Tuesday, Baby Megan was born in a hospital in Colorado. Her parents were told months ago that she would not survive birth. They were given no hope for their daughter. Her in utero diagnosis is one of those couched in the dreaded phrase “incompatible with life.” She was expected to be stillborn or to [...]

Continue reading…

The Good, the Bad, and the Invisible

July 3, 2012

Last week was tumultuous for me. Nathan’s image went viral on Facebook, prompting friends and strangers alike to say wonderful things about him and my family, and to share it with their friends. Unfortunately, not all comments were kind. In fact, some of them were downright vicious. Several people reached out to me to ask [...]

Continue reading…

The Good News About Prenatal Tests for Down Syndrome

June 14, 2012

Reports place the Down syndrome abortion rate (i.e., the termination of babies diagnosed in utero with trisomy 21) at between 85-92%, as I’ve mentioned before. A key takeaway, though, is “diagnosed in utero.” While that 9 out of 10 statistic is jaw-droppingly horrifying, it’s only part of the story. Until the 2011 release of MaterniT21, [...]

Continue reading…