Homemade Trampoline Therapy Activities

March 1, 2019February 9, 2019Leave a comment

It took over five years to get our daughter’s conditions diagnosed. We moved to a new state in between all of the doctor appointments and it was a very long journey.

Her first neurologist couldn’t figure out her conditions. He looked at me that last day I saw him and said, “She is a little girl who needs a lot of therapy.” He also encouraged me to go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital when we got settled into our new home and get a second opinion.

During that time, we were encouraged to start Occupational Therapy (OT). I had no idea what that was or what it could do for her. I started reading and learning what OT was and why it’s important for people with disabilities. Continue reading →

Kids, Bikes and Adaptive Play

January 1, 2019January 1, 2019Leave a comment

Riding a bike is like a right of passage for a young child. It’s the moment when the training wheels come off and they take off with that little wobble. I saw a father help his girl take that first ride in a field behind our house the other day. She was smiling and beaming with excitement. She fell once and then got back on long enough to ride away.

For moms like me, watching that moment is inspiring and also bitter sweet. It’s hard for me to imagine our girl taking off on her own two-wheeled bike.

She has balance and coordination challenges along with other conditions and intellectual disability. She tries very hard to ride her bike and she really just wants to join in play with others. Continue reading →

A Mom’s Journey into Inclusive Play, Advocacy and Partnership

March 26, 2018September 22, 20184 Comments

Planning a Petting Zoo Birthday Party for Special Needs Kids

February 3, 2018February 3, 2018Leave a comment

Birthday party invitations are few and far between when you have child with disabilities. My daughter who is part of the SPED program at school has been invited to two birthday parties in the last 8 years. My son who is able-bodied and has a group of buddies he hangs with will get invited to birthday parties throughout the year.

Before we moved out of state from our hometown, it didn’t matter if the party invites came in for her because we had big birthday parties with grandparents, family and cousins. Living in Arizona, we don’t have that network so her parties became dinners with cake and a couple of my son’s friends. Continue reading →

Horse Therapy for Kids with Disabilities

February 5, 2017February 2, 20191 Comment

I love horses. I do. I rode for years with a friend when I was growing up. She was a natural trainer when we were kids and has a successful training business today.

When my husband and I relocated to Arizona, I remember telling him one of my goals was to get back in the saddle. I missed it and was determined to start riding again.

Our new town has an equestrian culture and I stumbled across a horseback riding class for special needs kids. I put my riding aspirations on hold and enrolled our daughter who has disabilities. I was nervous the first session, but it was amazing to see her light up. Continue reading →

Sensory Processing Issues and The Morning Routine

September 26, 2016February 2, 20191 Comment

Sequence, lace and bows make little girl clothes cute and adorable. For the little girls with sensory processing issues, cute and adorable becomes a nightmare. It’s scratchy. It burns. It irritates.

Sensory processing issues was a new term we learned when our daughter’s conditions were finally diagnosed. Her conditions include a lengthy list with sensory processing issues plus developmental delays and intellectual disability.

Sensory processing refers to the way the brain receives messages from the senses and turns them into the appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Continue reading →

Break The Parenting Mold

August 22, 2016September 15, 2016Leave a comment

Managing a blog and being active on social media connects you with amazing people. When I managed my old site, Be Positive Mom, I met many working moms online. We collaborated, supported and cheered one another on as our career worlds unfolded as we grew our families.

Since our daughter’s diagnosis of intellectual disability, I’ve met more amazing people online. The beauty of our internet world is you can find support systems from states away and countries away. People out there are experiencing life’s challenges similar to you. They can help just by sending a virtual hug or some laughter. Continue reading →

The Interviews: What It Feels Like to be a Special Needs Mom

August 2, 2016August 2, 20164 Comments

Meet Kristi, author of Finding Ninee. Kristi writes about what it feels like to be a special needs mom. With a mix of humor and compassion, Kristi started with a memoir that turned into a blog that helps other special needs moms like me.

Kristi shared with us how telling your story can help you as much as it supports others.

Tell us about Finding Ninee and the Middle World.
When my son was two, we had his regular check-up. I’d mentioned that he wasn’t talking, and his doctor told me that was okay. After all, he’d been at home with me and “didn’t need to speak,” as I knew what he wanted. That year, I’d planned a trip away from my son for the first time, and worried whether my husband would be able to care for our son alone. Continue reading →

What Intellectual Disability Means to Me

July 20, 2016September 22, 20185 Comments

I couldn’t stop staring at two words on my computer screen: Intellectual Disability. After 5 years of doctor appointments, tests and more tests, we had several conditions finally diagnosed for our daughter.

Our journey included two neurologists, two geneticists, pediatricians and development delay specialists that spanned two states. It’d been a long road to diagnosis and after talking with other special needs parents, I learned that’s kind of the norm. It can take several years to diagnose a child who has disabilities. It’s like a puzzle and every appointment or phone call provides a piece of hope you’ll find an answer or in our case answers. Continue reading →

Our Parenting Curve Ball – Part II

July 16, 2012August 11, 2016Leave a comment

Our Parenting Curve Ball – Part I was about the waiting game before taking our girl for an MRI. I was actually a wreck. No matter how much you focus or keep positive thoughts, there’s a reality check that goes through your mind when you are faced with a test like an MRI. At least that was how I felt.

The MRI went well. It actually went very fast that morning which confirmed my theory about how often the anxiousness before something happens is much worse than it actually happening. Continue reading →

Stephanie Lema

Mom and Marketer Rolled Into One

Category: Special Needs Kids