When you've spent your entire life in a Ridglan cage, going outside is the most exciting thing in the world... but also a little scary.
James gets better every day!
"Your son might work in a grocery store bagging groceries for the rest of his life."
Someone said this to me right after my son Jack was diagnosed with autism.
Over the years, the words stuck with me.
I thought about them when he couldn't sit for circle time in kindergarten.
When he couldn't take the bus home from school safely.
When he started middle school, then high school.
Fast-forward.
Jack is twenty-one now.
He works in a grocery store.
He cuts fruit in the produce department.
He works from 8:00 - 2:00 three days a week.
He sets his alarm.
He puts on his uniform.
He walks to the bus station.
He arrives on time.
In this life alongside autism, I've learned it's not always about the destination, but how you got there in the first place.
I've learned that a life lived differently is not a life less lived.
Any any work, not matter what kind, is honorable.
What a beautiful thing.
Please join me in congratulating my son Jack on the first four months at his job.
We are fiercely proud of him.
Credit: Carrie Cariello
If you want you can wish a Merry Christmas to my mom Kathy, who's been in hospice (at home) since June 2024 and was in no way expected to make it through the holidays last year. You show 'em, Mom! xx
In 1988, Reagan recognized October 15th as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It’s a day for parents, like myself, to honor the losses we’ve experienced through miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy or infant loss. My son was born still in 2008. I see you. I am you.
Hi everyone,
I am starting up a virtual support group for those who have been through #babyloss. Twitter, please do your thing and spread the word so we can create a community and get the word out to as many hurting people as we can.
#stillbirthawareness#supportgroup