I know we may have just met, but because you’re here, you’ve taken the first step to connecting with me – thank you for giving me a few moments of your valuable time.
If you love a child who has challenges, welcome.
If you believe that life can be wonderful even if it’s far from perfect, welcome.
If you’re looking for encouragement in the midst of a world that scares you a little, welcome.
No matter how you ended up here, I hope you’ll stick around for the stories, the encouragement, and the window into the life of a family with two children with (completely different) disabilities. Reading about my children’s challenges and successes as they grow, develop, and try new things may open your eyes to what’s possible, or show you how we are more like typical families than we are different. Reading about the roadblocks and challenges we face may help you prepare for the road ahead, or better appreciate the world we all struggle to navigate successfully.
Who Am I?
I’m just an ordinary mom who was blessed with an extraordinary life.
My daughter, Sarah Kate, has cerebral palsy. My son, Nathan, has Down syndrome. My first child was stillborn at twenty weeks due to triploid syndrome. The odds of one woman having a child with cerebral palsy, one with Down syndrome, and one with triploid syndrome? About one in 21 million, but it happened to me.
We live in paradise in a small town along the gulf coast of Alabama – I call it Mayberry. Our life is ordinary – we watch TV, play games, read books, clean house, and all of the other things that most ordinary families do. We also go to therapy sessions, participate in IEPs, haggle with our health insurance company, and use disability hangtags, which most ordinary families don’t do.
What Will You Find Here?
I write about our kids, our family life, our pets, our faith, photography, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, things that excite me, and things that frustrate me. On occasion, a guest post may appear from Sarah Kate or my husband, who you’ll get to know as Mr. Andi.
I write positive, feel-good pieces, because I believe life is beautiful.
I write about heartache and pain, because sometimes people just need to know that someone understands the dark places deep inside them.
I believe the challenges we face have made me a better person who enjoys life more.
I believe suffering is redemptive and struggles are edifying.
I believe that St. Francis was right when he said, “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.”
I want to be your foxhole friend – the mom in the trenches, just like you, who’s been there, done that, and understands what you’re feeling – so let’s go forward together, my friend, shining our light on the world.