Timmy Harmon, Cathy and Rock Harmon's middle child, is a wonderful young man. He has a smile that is infectious and seems continuously happy. Timmy also has autism. This is a story about Timmy and what he is able do because Rock and Cathy provide the kind of nurturing, care, and love that is so vitally important to Timmy. This article presents the…

As a mother of a daughter with special needs, as well as to a son without, the author can say having had both experiences, all mothers, regardless of her children, struggle in one form or another. That may actually be a part of the job description: Mother: must be able to function well with minimal sleep; is capable of multi-tasking; be clever…

While parents with disabilities may face big challenges, with appropriate supports, many can be great parents. Just like other parents, they do not have to be responsible for every part of childrearing all by themselves. All parents rely on supports to help raise their children, such as day care, carpools, schools, babysitting co-ops, or advice…

In this article, the authors share their experience in taking care of their daughter, Elyse, who was in and out of the hospital when she was a child, battling numerous doctors' visits. Throughout the years, Elyse has taught their family about the importance of the human spirit and that they should appreciate others for who they are, no matter what…

Parents who have a child with a disability often find that recreational activities can be anything but accessible. Time for recreation is drowned by the priorities of caring for a child's needs, and the "umph" to get out can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. The activities parents love and aspire to share with their child may seem like one…

The excitement of going on a family vacation can be matched only by the stress parents experience as they prepare for the excursion. Parents of children with disabilities have special considerations to keep in mind, including the mode of transportation, the accessibility of accommodations, whether the activities will be appropriate for all members…

This article presents an interview with Shonda Schilling, wife of retired professional baseball pitcher Curt Schilling. In addition to her role as mom, advocate, and author, Schilling is also a melanoma survivor and the Founder of Shade (http://www.shadefoundation.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating melanoma through the…

Nick is the author's first-born child. He was born healthy in 1993. Within days, however, there would be medical complications resulting in brain damage, seizures, medical issues, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy at four months of age, and later, a diagnosis of bi-lateral progressive hearing loss at eight years of age. Nick's parents have been told…

Many parents say that when they are told that their child has some condition, it is almost as shocking as hearing the child had died. Some parents go into a state of grieving because their perception of that child's life is changed dramatically. Their hopes and dreams for their baby being successful in the way that they envisioned success to be…

This article features The HALI Project and shares experiences that led to the first part of the project--Empowered Parents. This program taught parents how to first come to grips with the reality of their situation, then dream new, appropriate dreams for their children. From there it addressed understanding the ongoing emotional journey and how it…

The goal of parenthood is to raise children to be productive community members who are self-determined. Adults who have freedom over how they want to live their life, spend their money and live in a way that enhances and confirms their importance are self-determined. Overall affection in the family will enhance self-esteem and help children grow…

The long awaited blessings of having a child bring simultaneous bouts of confusion and uncertainty regarding the vast parenting responsibilities that come with raising that child. When the child has a disability, sometimes the tasks can seem especially daunting. In this article, the authors aim to guide parents of children who display challenging…

Sometimes one's life unfolds in mysterious ways when one is not even trying. The author thinks becoming a stepparent is like that, or at least it was for her. The author had not even really set out to have children, but one day she was standing with one foot in the air at the edge of jumping into a new, pre-made family with three children, one of…

There is a famous piece of writing by Emily Pearl Kingsley in which she attempts to describe what it feels like to raise a child with special needs. She explains that it is like preparing for a trip to Italy. One learns the language and buys the travel books. One finds himself on the plane traveling to Italy, and suddenly, the trip is diverted to…

Waiting rooms are oases for mothers of children with special needs. They congregate in these small holding areas, sitting on musty couches, while their children receive the latest therapeutic interventions. Sometimes they sit quietly, sneaking glances at each other while pretending to read year-old "People" magazines. Sometimes they crawl under a…