December 2011 - Praying for Parker

It’s a Wonderful Journey

It’s been hard. At times it has hurt. It’s been scary. It’s been bittersweet. At the same time the life that the birth of our youngest son has introduced our family to has become the most remarkable of journeys. Mothering Parker has...

Published Fri, Dec 02 2011 8:43 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: down syndrome, Life With Special Needs

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Special Needs Parent

I’m a huge believer that many special needs parents suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My beliefs are backed up by both my therapist AND my GP. (Did I just admit to working with a therapist? What can I say? There are somethings a girl can’t...

Published Wed, Dec 07 2011 9:30 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Holding On Tight To My Faith, Life With Special Needs, post traumatic stress disorder, ptsd

How we are teaching Parker to read.

The program I’m sharing today isn’t my original idea. It was taught to me by a spec ed teacher. I have seen it show up in various parts of other reading programs. I’ve taken the wheel, and instead of reinventing it, honed it to meet...

Published Mon, Dec 05 2011 7:59 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Special Needs Homeschooling, special needs home school, homeschool, Reading Activities, learning to read

There’s No Such Thing as a Defective Child

It came across my Facebook stream. The sadness. The hurt. The unbelievable-ness of it all. An almost Mother. A pre-natal diagnosis. The decision to abort already made. Because this child, the same child that yesterday held hopes and dreams and...

Published Sun, Dec 18 2011 4:17 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Advocacy, choose life

Weight Gain and the Child with Special Needs

Parker was almost up to 37 pounds. So very close. The weight gain happy dancing was in full force. Then he got sick. Pneumonia. Pseudomonas. That damn Adenovirus that came with a 12 days of diarreha and zofran just to keep the meds down. Before we we...

Published Sun, Dec 11 2011 6:02 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: blenderized diet, Life With Special Needs, Frequent Flyin' ar the PCMC, weight loss

‘Cause Parker Loves Books…..we need your help!

I spent many of my growing up years living in countries that had no *gasp* American television. When we lived in Turkey my Dad always had the television on ……he liked the different test patterns we received from Cyprus. Hey, some of us have...

Published Sun, Dec 04 2011 2:29 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Stuff We LOVE!, Family and Friends, Desert Book Christmas Photo contest, literature basked learning

Gluten Free Joy With Udi’s Gluten Free Foods!

Did you know that many people with Down syndrome also have a secondary diagnosis of celiac disease? True story. I remember when a friend child was diagnosed with celiac disease and we searched high and low for anything…….anything……...

Published Tue, Dec 27 2011 10:12 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Life With Special Needs, Udi's Gluten free food

Where I put the Bah in my Humbug.

I’ve come to a major realization this Christmas season. I’m tired. Really, really tired. Being the designated Hodson Family gift purchaser, wrapper, decorator and maid has brought out the real Scrooge in me. I’ve lost that Holiday feeling...

Published Thu, Dec 15 2011 4:46 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Christmas, Life With Special Needs

The Freedom To Tell It Like It Is: Special Needs Style

I once heard of a woman, who after years of taking care of her disabled sister, made the following confession: “I hate having to cut her toenails. ” You could have heard a pin drop in the room after that simple sentence had been uttered. Because...

Published Mon, Dec 05 2011 8:49 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: The HIGH Cost of Health Care, down syndrome, Life With Special Needs, Frequent Flyin' ar the PCMC, special needs caregivers, medically fragile children with special needs

A Santa Craft!

I’m all about the texture crafts to help meet Parker’s sensory seeking nature. There some though that I tend to shy away from because of the trach. Like anything with cotton balls. I can just see me trying to explain to Parker’s surgeon...

Published Fri, Dec 09 2011 1:54 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Special Needs Homeschooling, homeschooling, Santa crafts, Art, Art Activities