Category Archives: compassion

It was quite a year

4 Replies

I’m not quite ready to let go of 2015. We had a lot of excitement, a lot of laughs and so many moments where life just went right.

January–I was so happy to be one of thousands who used their blogs to spread compassion and empathy throughout the internet. Yvonne and Lizzi created a call to action. One where we would actively look for moments for all of us to agree that it takes a village to raise a child, and therefore a village to create a world where we put compassion over judgement. Continue reading →

Why you need honest friends

2 Replies

The other night I had a too-real dream of Bridget dying; by drowning.  The dream so real, I woke with tears on my face as I hurried to her room to check on her.  Me, a person who when asked would claim she never has anxiety and thinks she is cool under any circumstance.  Here’s the dream: Continue reading →

I’m Leaving a Light On for you

5 Replies

When you are the parent of a child who has a disability you can feel isolated. You begin to not go out, to not seek friends and scared of judgement. You don’t complain, because you fear people will think you are not a good mom. You try to promote your life as a Hallmark Channel movie and not a Halloween one. Then the holidays come and you are slapped with the face of reality. How to get through the season when you feel so alone and trapped in this unexpected life. Continue reading →

Want to change the world? Make it personal

4 Replies

Warning…I’m on a bit of a soapbox.

I just finished reading a book about WW2 (Escape from Davao). A quote from the book resonated in me as it applies to everything: Natural and man-made disasters, the horrors of the news, the treatment of our elderly, 9/11, Ferguson, police being killed, domestic violence, the drug war and (insert horrendous thing here). I honestly think words from 1944 are still true. Until it becomes personal,until we understand that WE must feel we cannot win.

“We’ve got to have the nature of this war drilled into us Day after day before we sense the whole horror of it, the demands of it, the danger if it….This War has not yet become personal with us…But if we hear the truth day by day … We’ll silence the babble, sober the feather-minded and fight like hell” (Palmer Hoyt page 332)

Continue reading →

My brave friend Divya

2 Replies

When I joined the LTYM Boston cast I had no idea the breadth of stories that would be told. Allow me to introduce you to my friend, Divya. (Four Kleenex warning, but a must watch) I am honored that she is allowing me to share her piece.

I remember when I met Divya she said she “wasn’t a writer”. She is so much more than a writer, Divya gorgeous from her spirit outwards, a mom of two wonderful children, a postpartum depression advocate working diligently to make sure all women have the tools needed to triumph  and (my hero) helped to create a state-funded perinatal program to help other new moms in need of support. Divya is co-founder of the Every Mother Project that provides much needed training and support to professionals to increase availability of care to women in perinatal crisis.

To learn more about her program please visit: The Every Mother Project

Thank you, Divya, for allowing me to share your piece.

1000 Speak, well more really

24 Replies

About a month ago two bloggers had this idea: to flood the internet with stories of compassion. To battle back the dark news, the horror of this world and show that there is still good to be had. The date was chosen, Feb 20th and the rallying cry was heard: Let’s get 1,000 bloggers to talk about compassion.

They didn’t get 1,000 bloggers though.

Continue reading →

The worst day

3 Replies

We have all had the “worst day” of our lives. Bridget, in all honesty, has given me most of mine. The time in the NICU, having to physically hold her down for testing and the list goes on. For every “worst day” she has given me countless best days.

That is not always the case.

Today two friends of mine is going through another worst day of their life. Three years ago these happy parents lost their first born, handsome, cute, full of laughter, son to SIDS. Although he was just five months old, Colby gave his parents a lifetime of happy memories.
Continue reading →

Name change

35 Replies

At the beginning of the summer we took Bridget to see a Specialist 20 hours away from our home in the hopes to find an answer to Bridgetitis. We had gone on a search for our own Dr. House. We allowed them to perform Exome sequencing, where Bridget’s DNA would be (in layman’s terms since I really am not a scientist) broken down and reviewed by computer strand by strand allows the scientist to discover where the gene may have gone awry.

We got the results. Finally. Continue reading →

My Challenge: Coach Eli

27 Replies

Untitled

I am so excited that Coach Eli is willing to share his Challenge today. I admire Eli so much. First because he coaches girl soccer. I would rather have a root canal. He is the dad to three incredible daughters. He is the dad you want your kid to have. One that balances being a dad with being a coach with being the soft place for his girls to land.  Okay enough gushing.

Continue reading →

TBT–CARE

Leave a reply

Throw-back Thursday, today to not quite end Down Syndrome Awareness Month I am reposting a blog from October 31, 2013. It is beyond important to raise awareness for what Down Syndrome is and what it is not. This post explains why it is so important to any parent whose child has a special need.

Continue reading →