Freedom from Caregiver Stress Wounds

Freedom from Caregiver Stress Wounds

I was tempted to take a break from blogging after reading this post on a friend’s blog this morning: “I’m taking a week off from blogging. Lots happening in my world this summer. And it’s getting a little more difficult to keep up with…which is a great...
Four Ways to Become a More Satisfied Special Needs Dad

Four Ways to Become a More Satisfied Special Needs Dad

We’ve been celebrating dads this past weekend. And so we should. They have a uniquely tough, demanding, relentless, and nuanced role in parenting. And when they have a child with extra needs, they bear a role that can be intimidating, confusing, overwhelming, scary,...
Defining Roles Can Encourage and Empower Parent Caregivers

Defining Roles Can Encourage and Empower Parent Caregivers

Helping a group of people find agreeable plans is right in my husband’s wheelhouse. Many years ago, Larry was attending one of Carly’s IEP planning meetings at her school. It was the first time he had participated directly in the special education annual planning...
Tips for Caregivers About Leading and Following

Tips for Caregivers About Leading and Following

In this ongoing series exploring caregiver “sweet spots,” we’re looking at the challenges and opportunities experienced when caring for a loved one with disabilities or other special needs. Today’s focus is on appreciating the roles of leaders and...
Open Communication: The Currency of Love in Caregiving Families

Open Communication: The Currency of Love in Caregiving Families

My family has learned that we communicate a lot nonverbally. Carly, my sister who has Angelman Syndrome, is (for the most part) nonverbal. So we’ve learned to read the people and situations around us without needing to say much. The problem with that is that we often...