My department chair started the new semester by giving us a list. “Resources to Use if a Student Needs Help.” I scanned the checklist. “What to do if a student is: failing, homeless, suicidal, violent . . .” She never said that this was in response to the Newtown, Connecticut… Read full post »

I opened the paper this morning, chanting,  “Please don’t let it be Asperger’s. Please don’t let it be Asperger’s.” I scanned the articles quickly about the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, dreading that I would find out the gunman had Asperger’s Syndro/… Read full post »

I once made a salad in the car – while driving. Right before I walked out the door, I remembered there was a carry-in lunch at work to celebrate a birthday. I ran back in the kitchen and grabbed a head of lettuce, two carrots, and a tomato Then I picked… Read full post »

                The birthmother has found us again. She calls, ranting, stupid-drunk,   threatening to come to our house to take back her child.  Even though it has been five years since she signed the final pap/… Read full post »

Bullying is making headlines again. This time it is an adult school bus monitor who was bullied by a group of kids until she burst into tears. Middle school kids tease and taunt the grandmotherly figure, calling her “fat” and “lazy” and other horrible names for twelve long min… Read full post »

Bullying is making headlines again. This time it is an adult school bus monitor who was bullied by a group of kids until she burst into tears. Middle school kids tease and taunt the grandmotherly figure, calling her “fat” and “lazy” and other horrible names for twelve long min… Read full post »

              Does the word “buy” offend you? Then don’t adopt, because you would be offended often. Adoption, at its core, is a business transaction. It shouldn’t be, but it is. You will pay for lawyers, counsel/… Read full post »

     I will admit that I avoided looking at what was happening at first.  I am a positive, hopeful, can-do type of person. After the pediatrician prescribed a second round of antibiotics for my son who had strep throat, I didn’t worry, I just bought more vitamins. For e/… Read full post »

“Your son has Asperger’s Syndrome.” The moment the psychiatrist said the word autism, my chin literally dropped. I was shocked. My son was intelligent. I swear he said “Momma” when he was four months old. He counted to 10 when he was a year old. He loved trains and he… Read full post »

I don’t understand IEP’s. If you are blessed enough to not have a child on one, you might not know that it stands for Individualized Education Plan. Basically, it means that if your child has “special needs,” he or she will receive curriculum accommodations in school. This cou… Read full post »

     I’m teaching, seventh period, and as I’m lecturing, I suddenly feel something odd in my mouth. My tooth is loose. I can feel the root under the molar on my left side with my tongue, and I taste blood. With a cough, I excuse myself. I cover my mouth on… Read full post »

The Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit is a scary place to be. In the hallway right before the large, double doors, sits a large, stainless steel basin with an imposing sign, “All visitors must wash their hands for two minutes before entering.” A detailed list follows: 1. Scrub under your nail… Read full post »

                   I had never seen a birth before. When watching the required videos on “The Miracle of Birth” in seventh grade health class, I had turned away at the first sight of blood. Come to t/… Read full post »

            I am the mother you shun in Wal-Mart. Your disapproving eyes flit from my unbrushed hair to focus upon my four year old son, who is dressed in a long-sleeved, fatigue shirt and tight, black-wool leggings, even though it’/… Read full post »

Adoption is big business. Once we started calling agencies and lawyers, we found that we were coveted clients. Brochures, videos, and endless forms came pouring in. I tried to keep up with it by filling out one form a day. But soon, pages – and to me, each one represented a… Read full post »

            After every appointment at the fertility clinic, I would have a nightmare.  It didn’t matter if the appointment had gone well (New medicine to try! Your ovaries are huge!) or if the appointment had been torturous (Internal/… Read full post »

 Submission to Open Call: Life After Quitting Hope

By Kristina Lakes

            How could  my baby have a hole in her heart? She is a crazy, passionate, beautiful little four year old. She never sits down unless it is to watc/… Read full post »