Coming up: Interview with Pia Pearce

Next Wednesday is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We're marking the occasion with an interview with Pia Pearce, mom to Kevin Pearce (above), an American snowboarder who was expected to win gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Then a crash head-first into ice almost killed him. Some of you may have seen The Crash Reel, a raw, exuberant film that follows Kevin's wild success, devastating accident, and hospitalization...

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Sexual violence against our kids: Why isn't it on everyone's radar?

By Louise Kinross Yesterday I was outraged to read this story about the case of a 9-year-old California girl with an intellectual disability who was sexually assaulted five times in 2010 by a non-disabled student during an after-school program. The assaults began with her being kicked and hit. Her parents sued the Los Angeles Unified School District for damages to cover the long-term therapy they say their daughter needs to...

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Why is it so hard?

By Louise Kinross "Let me get this straight," my chiropractor said. "You've had this pain in your neck and shoulders for 28 years, but you've only got $250 to fix it with?" "Yes?" I said, with a plaintive expression on my face. I sat on an examining table with my legs dangling in the air, like a child, and the doctor sat in front of me. I'd seen him for a series of sessions a year ago when my knees got really bad....

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'I do feel sad sometimes, but Kate isn't'

 Last week I shared a new comment written on our most popular post The Invisible Mom by Sue Robins. The Invisible Mom is about how mothers of kids with disabilities can face the same social exclusion their kids face. Julie Drurie, mom to Kate, 7, who has a rare mitochondrial disease and took the selfie above, wrote a thoughtful response on her blog Searching For Solid Footing. We've reprinted it below. She made me think about how my perception...

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'Who is teacher?'

I just read this exquisite piece by Kari Wagner-Peck, above with son Thorin, 8. Thorin attended Grade 1 at public school last year in Portland, Me. Kari is a fabulous writer who blogs at A typical son about raising her son with Down syndrome. Make sure to bookmark her blog. She always has a unique perspective. I can't wait for the next one in this series! Louise By Kari Wagner-Peck We started homeschooling or unschooling or what you...

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Left out

I want to share a comment written last week on our most popular post. The Invisible Mom, written by Sue Robins, has had almost 22,000 views and generated 80 comments. It's about how mothers of kids with disabilities can face the same social exclusion their kids face: "In the foyer of every elementary school there's a gaggle of moms standing in a tight circle, waiting to pick up their kids," Sue writes. "In the 10 years I've parented...

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Tell us your story

What do you want people to know about being a special-needs parent?  What do you wish people understood about parenting a child with a disability or chronic health condition?  Tell us in the comments! Loui...

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Community Living looks beyond adult 'group homes'

By Louise Kinross Several years ago Chris Beesley wrote a BLOOM piece about how raising his son Mitchell, who has Fragile X and autism, had changed his life and career aspirations. I met Chris last week in his new role as CEO of Community Living Ontario. I wanted to talk about options for housing for adults with intellectual disabilities. Next week 100 of Community Living’s executive directors are coming to Toronto to brainstorm ideas that...

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Wanted: Your ideas on how to make services better

Ontario youth with disabilities and chronic health needs have a unique opportunity to tell government what they need to live a full, satisfying life and how children’s services can change to better support them. The I Have Something To Say project by the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth seeks submissions from children, teens and young adults who’ve used pediatric services. The deadline to contribute is International Day of Persons with...

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'Mom, why are people staring at us?'

By Christina Herbers It was a chilly Saturday morning as I drank coffee and thought about a family activity that would be fun for both of our girls. I decided that we’d spend the day like many other St. Albert families, so we headed out on an adventure to Servus Place Rec Centre. My husband and I were excited, as it was the first time our youngest daughter Addison was trying out her new hockey skates. We packed up all of the skates, snow pants,...

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BLOOM media roundup

Happy Monday! Looking for a read that will make you think? Check out the disability and parenting stories we've collected in the last week. Let us know if we missed a good one! Louise When the diagnosis is rare, parents may know more than professionalsThe New York Times Great examples of why parents are essential partners with doctors in providing the best care for kids with rare conditions. Discussing disabled sexuality is a radical act RH...

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