Gifts|Grandma Gets a Thong

Helen Otten, my mom, died April 3 at the age of almost 93. I’m posting this in her memory. I’m also reminded of the importance of family. The twelfth day of Christmas is Jan. 6th–Little Christmas, The Feast of the Magi. Actually, it’s all the...

Teachers| Segregation or Inclusion?

photo credit: HA! Designs – Artbyheather How do you measure what is important? Hain Ginott, the famous child psychologist and author of classic books like “Between Parents and Child” and “Between Teachers and Child” taught about the power...

On the last day of Junior School| Inclusion

Tommy is in the second row. Of course, Aaron is the red head in the middle of the picture who refused to look at the camera. My last post Teachers| Inclusion or Segregation started an interesting discussion. It reminded me of the letter I wrote to the Principal of...

More than just a Graduation Speech

Graduation: More than just Words. Did anyone like Jeremy go to your school? What message would you tell Jeremy if you had the chance? Jeremy Sicile-Kira’s Graduation Speech Jeremy graduated from Torrey Pines High School with a 3.70 GPA on June 18, 2010. Jeremy...

A Mother’s Hopes for her Sons

Summer Activities| A Mother’s Hope for Her Sons with and without Disabilities NOTE: This is when Tommy was 13 and Aaron 14 years old. Is summer different for kids with and without disabilities? This summer Tommy, my 13 year old son, … • Went to 2 weeks of Boy Scout...

I love Aaron| I hate Autism

Proust says, “The real voyage of discovery is not in seeing new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.” Can I love Aaron and hate autism? If I say, “I love my child, but hate cancer or heart disease…” many people would say that is okay. If I...