Read more about the article I felt broken and was crumbling under the weight of everything
My thoughts

I felt broken and was crumbling under the weight of everything

I don't think I've written much about how I've been doing, at least not in great detail. I’ve shared little bits here and there, but that’s about it. Writing has been much more challenging over the last year, but I’m slowly being drawn back to it. I don’t know where to begin, or if this will make sense. I’m a little scattered tonight but I suppose it will make the most sense to start with the present. It’s tough to open up about where I am and what I’m going through, especially without trying to downplay things. Writing about it is easier than talking about it in person, but it still goes against the grain for me. That being said, I’m working very hard to find my way back to…

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March 27, 2023
Read more about the article The Importance of Self-care
My thoughts / Self-Care

The Importance of Self-care

Self-care is something that everyone should be prioritizing in their life. This is especially true if you are a parent of a child or children with special needs. Taking time for ourselves can be challenging when we are constantly juggling appointments, therapies, and other responsibilities that come with raising a child with special needs. But it's important to prioritize self-care, not only for our own well-being but also for the benefit of our children. As parents of children with special needs, prioritizing self-care is crucial for physical and emotional well-being. Alongside nutrition, exploring peptides near me is a valuable option. Peptides are recognized for promoting skin health, enhancing energy, and fostering vitality, aligning with self-care goals. Embracing innovative treatments like peptides allows parents to proactively support both their own well-being…

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March 20, 2023
Read more about the article Helping My Kids Transition to Adulthood is Challenging
Gavin / My thoughts

Helping My Kids Transition to Adulthood is Challenging

Making the switch from parenting young kids with autism to teens and adults can be challenging. Kids grow up so fast, and their needs change as they get older. The teen and young adult years are particularly tough because the push toward independence kicks into high gear. There are so many overlapping behaviors, and I'm learning that some teen stuff is normal. Autism and ADHD will always play a role, but at the end of the day, they're still teenage boys, and they're going to be going through adolescent boy stuff. My current focus is on helping Gavin to move out of the house and move on with his life. We (my incredibly supportive gf and I) have had several meetings with the Department of DD already, and Gavin has…

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December 15, 2022
Read more about the article This was once my worst fear
My thoughts

This was once my worst fear

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been dealing with COVID for almost 3 years now. So much has changed during this time. COVID has become a part of everyday life that it’s even been incorporated into our favorite TV shows as well. I’m still not used to that one. LOL If you’ve been reading for a while, you know how hard I worked to shield the boys and I from the pandemic. Gavin is immunocompromised, Elliott has asthma, and even though Emmett and I don’t have anything that really puts us at greater risk, we still didn’t want it. Elliott ended up testing positive earlier this year and that was our first bout with COVID in our house. Everyone else managed to avoid it at the time. Fast forward to…

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December 10, 2022
Read more about the article Finding Myself Again
My thoughts

Finding Myself Again

I’ve been struggling to find myself. There have been so many changes in my life over the last few years and some of them significant. Some of these changes left me feeling lost and broken. I needed to rediscover who I am, and I’ve been on this journey trying too figure it all out. Our identities can become wrapped up in the people and things we hold most dear. For me, I was a son, a fire fighter/paramedic, a husband, a special needs dad, a caregiver, a writer, amongst other things. Sometimes life throws us curveballs and can result in major life altering changes taking place. It doesn’t matter if we welcomed those change or if they were thrust upon us. When we experience loss, significant change, or get too…

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December 9, 2022
Read more about the article My Autistic Son Voted for the First Time: Here’s My Takeaway
My thoughts / Parenting Resources

My Autistic Son Voted for the First Time: Here’s My Takeaway

Last week, my 22-year-old autistic son voted for the very first time. It was a momentous occasion for him. Seeing him exercise his right to vote was an emotional experience, and it got me thinking about what we can learn from his voting journey. Here are a few takeaways that I wanted to share. I also sat down with Gavin, and we talked about his experience on a recent podcast episode. You can also read my previous post about tips to help our kids vote by clicking here. The Importance of Accessibility One of the biggest barriers to voting for people with disabilities is accessibility. What many of us fail to realize is that accessibility to voting starts at home. It's so important that we, as parents, talk to our…

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November 6, 2022