Autism, The Ultimate Father Challenge
image via madebyfolks.tumblr.com/ My son J.R. was diagnosed with autism at age three. On that horrific day I came home and collapsed in bed, crying. I cried myself to sleep, woke the next [...]
Jackson 9.0
photography by Alison Frank The last time I sat down to write, I could hear beautiful noises from across the hall. You were in your room, making crashing and exploding sounds [...]
Complete. Fools.
photo by Alison Frank Photography It isn't lost on this sign-seeking girl that Autism Awareness Month begins on a day dedicated to pranks. Joke's on me; I get it- I'm the fool. [...]
Autism’s Middle Age
Boy oh boy, was ten fantastic. I want to say it was J.R.'s best year. He blossomed socially, trudged through academically, and held it together mentally. Professionals (okay, his teachers, who I bribe) even threw [...]
Because of Sadness
Once again, thanks to John Lasseter, I’ve left a Disney Pixar film- reeling (pardon the pun). I’ve been crying my eyes out for the past hour and forty-two minutes and I’m not sure if it’s [...]
Back to the Present
photo credit: Etsy Seller OutNerdMe I thought we were in the clear. I mean, it’s March for goodness' sake. Rewind to Christmas, a good one for J.R., which meant my hubby and [...]
I Funny Valentine
I can picture it like it was yesterday. I returned home from receiving (but most definitely not processing) J.R.’s autism diagnosis to find a package at my door. With my infant car seat carrier [...]
New Year, Same Kid
If you’re a mom like me with young kids at home, you can’t even think about New Year’s Resolutions until the sweet sound of the school (late) bell chimes. Today, Tuesday, was my January 2nd, having [...]
Louse-y Parenting
Last weekend was supposed to be mine. Every drop of it. My charity was honored at a wonderful women's event on Friday night, and I knew how spent I'd feel afterward: a chick like [...]
Why Me?
We all have those moments (ok sometimes minutes or hours or days) when we ask ourselves “Why me?” Sometimes the question comes in the form of “@*%& WHY ME???!!!!!!!” and I totally get that. My [...]
This Is How We Do It
I am constantly asked this question: Kristi, just how do you do it? My gut reaction is to snap back with something like Do what? You following me? I swear that wasn’t me who let her [...]
No Words
Naoki Higashida If I count how many times someone has offered me a book about autism or a mom’s "journey" to cure her child’s autism, I can count how many times I’ve wanted [...]