A Look Back: Top Ten Reflection and Gratitude Blogs

December 1, 20191 Comment

It’s that time of year when everyone is rushing through the season. We survived Thanksgiving and now the crazed Christmas rush is well underway. It’s also the last month of the year and the last days of the decade. 2020 will be the start to new beginnings and the passing of old experiences. How will you reflect on 2019?

The last two months I’ve tried to slow my roll in every aspect of my life. I was stressed almost the first half of the year as I worked to obtain my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and that led to some health issues. I reached the goal and then fell apart. I’m proud I made it through and also puzzled as to why I made it so hard on myself.

As we look into the New Year, I thought I’d share some of the blogs I wrote this year and from many years ago that are good reminders to slow down, just be and enjoy the moments that pass us by so quickly. Continue reading →

Designed with Heart: Inclusive Playgrounds

September 1, 2019August 24, 20191 Comment

We spent all day at a playground when I was a kid. Running, climbing and jumping was what we did. I never gave the tanbark, metal equipment or two-step entrance a second thought.

Looking back, I can remember the kids who never played with us because they couldn’t access the playground. It wasn’t until my own daughter had so many challenges with play spaces I realized that a playground is not one size fits all.

Our daughter has intellectual disability, developmental delay and tremors along with balance and coordination issues. She couldn’t sit on a standard swing when she was younger. She fell easily on uneven surfaces and couldn’t keep up with her peers on most playgrounds. Our trips to the playground usually ended in tears. My son had a very different play experience since he could play on any type of playground. Continue reading →

Why We Love Special Olympics

May 1, 2019May 5, 2019Leave a comment

It wasn’t so long ago I found a Special Olympics Arizona notice in my daughter’s backpack. I was so grateful her school offered participation in the events.

Special Olympics is a wonderful organization that supports children and adults with intellectual disabilities through sports. The organization also improves the health of others through collaborations with health providers and community organizations. The health of the athletes is so very important. These competitions help them get physical fitness, build confidence and experience happiness.

My daughter’s first competition was bowling. She was so excited. The kids took a field trip to the local bowling alley and she won a medal that day. The next competition was track and field.

Continue reading →

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, 2018January 5, 20207 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 →

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

August 2, 2016August 2, 20165 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 →

Stephanie Lema

Mom and Marketer Rolled Into One

Category: Special Needs Kids