Author Archives: firebailey

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About firebailey

I possess many titles: wife, mom, advocate, runner, Bruins fan, lover chocolate and Parrot Head. I believe you can conquer any challenge in this world with family, good friends and wine. I write about most of that and more while keeping my sense of humor in this life I never expected.

Born this way (and proud of it)

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Last evening I watched the debut of “Born This Way” on A&E.  When I learned there would be a reality show showcasing cast members with disabilities, I was apprehensive. The Real Housewives is a guilty pleasure of mine and no offense to Andy Cohen, I really did not want to see the first reality show that had Down Syndrome as the premise to be of the same caliber.

Persons who have intellectual disabilities spend their entire life defying expectations, limitations and stereotypes. I hoped that their first foray into reality television would not feed on stereotype but break the factors of discrimination.

A lot to request of a television show, I admit. Continue reading →

Finally, we have equality

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Recently, an entertainment show featured Adele’s bodyguard as its top story — specifically, how gorgeous he was. There was a picture of his piercing blue eyes, a shot of him in his body building pose. He is quite beautiful — seriously beautiful.

What struck me is that we finally have equality. If George Clooney had a female bodyguard and we were shown pictures of her in a bikini, women would think she was being wronged. Women of 2015 are supposed to be carrying on the banner of equal pay for equal work. We hold men accountable that it’s not the look of a woman but that she can do her job. The lead story, male and female, has come to focus on how that person looks, not if he or she is the most qualified.

Read more on SheKnows Media

If we were having a glass of wine

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If we were having a glass of wine, I would tell you that Bridget had a fantastic birthday. Remember that birthday party I told you about? The one where no one knew her name. I spoke to the teacher and apparently it might have been because the children were only familiar with Bridget in class. She wondered if it was because they were someplace different. She told me when Bridget enters the class it is like Norm entering Cheers! I doubted her until this came home:

1 Continue reading →

What happens when a mom watches a preschool show

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I realized recently that I am holding Bridget back more than her disability. All because of a TV show, her favorite Sofia the First, where there was a line: “well it’s time you made some room so your buttercup can bloom”

I realized it started so simply.

She likes to be carried, I’m grateful that I have her to carry. Then she got bigger and heavier.  Now my left hip is in a semi-permanent tilt.  I have good reasoning, for carrying her. It is safer. She gets tired. It is overstimulating for her.  I like carrying her.

I am not helping her when I carry her. Continue reading →

The great gift debate

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“What can I get Bridget for her birthday? (or insert a holiday here)” is one of the most dreaded questions of the season for me. I could give a list a mile long for her sister, from the inexpensive barrette to the pony. Bridget stumps me.
Continue reading →

Dear Bridget

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Dear Bridget,

Holy crap you are SEVEN years old today. TODAY. You, my love and my light, are an incredible girl.

love

This year you have done so much more than I ever expected.

You give the best hugs and have the sweetest smile.

You have the evilest laugh when you take your sister’s headband and run around the counter.

You have charmed more stickers out of the receptionist at therapy than any other child.

You are full of sass, and I mean sass. Continue reading →

Go ask the Coach

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I have this great friend, Eli, who blogs over at Coach Daddy. Each month he asks fellow bloggers for six words to describe something. This month it was about the story we would tell, in honor of National Memoir Month. Yes, at this point I think there is a day, a month and heck even an hour to honor something! It’s where Eli gets his inspiration, so I don’t judge 🙂

Please visit his blog and discover what how I and many others what six words we would use for the title of our memoir.

It’s not all sunshine and unicorn butts

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I am usually an optimistic person. It drives my husband crazy that I always look for the silver lining. The truth is, life with Bridget isn’t always easy. Beyond doctor, therapy, school and paperwork there is also just life with a child who cannot express her frustrations.

Recently I was taken aback when I was told that I am doing parents a disservice because I am promoting that having a child with special needs is all sunshine and none of the darkness.  I asked if they read more than one of my blog posts, because I tend to vent quite a bit on our struggles.  Continue reading →

We cannot stay silent

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I’ve tried not to write this post. I told myself not to get involved.

That’s a problem and there is a bigger one.

We have presidential candidates saying there must be a registry for a religion. We have Senators stating that we will only allow Christians and Jews to seek sanctuary on our shores. We have sanctioned racism on social media. We have allowed fear of a few jeopardize the many.

When did we stop being home of the FREE? Continue reading →

I have two kids and two parenting styles

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Today I am so very honored to be featured on SheKnows Media,  discussing how when you have your first child, they are barely out of the womb before someone will ask when they will have a sibling. I would always say never. I could not imagine sharing the love I had for this child — nor having the patience to deal with another one. For years, I was told I would love both children equally but differently. Five years later when — surprise! — that second child was born, I finally understood what “equal but different” love meant.

To read more, click here