** A personal note to my dad – just in case you didn’t get my message, please DO NOT read what follows. ** Content warning: Rape / Sexual Assault For “Emily” Four years ago, I wrote a post about an event that had changed my life. I wrote it because I felt compelled to do so. … Continue reading
happy
When Brooke was three, we enrolled her in the preschool that her sister had been attending for the last two years. We loved it and were excited for her to join her big sister. The school, located in the basement of a local church, was as cute as they come and, to me, was exactly … Continue reading
the courage to listen
There’s something that tends to happen an awful lot in advocacy circles (and everywhere, really, but it’s most obvious there) and I was hoping we could talk about it. It tends to go something like this: Someone, typically a member of a radically disenfranchised community (let’s call them A) says, “Doing X, no matter how … Continue reading
inspiration porn goes to the prom
{image is the word “PROM” spelled out in a delightfully cheesy balloon arch. I kinda love it.} So apparently we’re in the height of prom season. One might be forgiven for thinking that prom season would be in May or June when most proms are typically held, but in a country where we start decorating for Christmas … Continue reading
understanding our differences
Yesterday, I was honored to step in for my friend Susan Senator and speak at a benefit for a wonderful organization called Understanding our Differences. UoD is a pioneer in disability education. Through a participatory curriculum for elementary schoolers, they live their mission of demystifying human differences, supporting inclusion, and building bridges to true and … Continue reading
the perfect addendum
In September of 2014, I wrote the following post. It was hard to write then and it’s hard to share now. Not because I don’t believe it to be true – I do, fervently – but because I worry that I’m not the one who should be saying it. But I am. Because this time … Continue reading
the effort alone
A little while ago, I got a letter in my inbox that left me in a puddle of tears: sad ones, happy ones, beautiful, heart-wrenching hopeful ones. The letter wasn’t addressed to me. It was from my friend, Conner, and he was asking if I could pass it on to my dad. It began … Continue reading
what i can
{image is a five year-old photo of me hugging Brooke on the beach. It just felt right. Photo credit: The amazing lens of Connerton Photography, all rights reserved} I’m running late. Brooke is still in the shower. I’m trying to hurry her along without pressuring her too much. “Rushing” is not exactly in her repertoire. … Continue reading
switched on
{image is a photo of John and me after lunch last week. To find out why we’re laughing, see the photo at the end of the post.} Last week, I had lunch with one of my all-time favorite human beings, John Elder Robison. I always feel so blessed to have time with John. In all … Continue reading
explaining epilepsy
Last night, I was on a mission. I wrote to a couple of local listserves asking for their help. All, I’m looking for anything that may help me explain seizures to my daughter. She’s in seventh grade, but text geared toward 1st – 4th grade is probably most accessible. Thanks in advance. Jess I was … Continue reading
