Dec 1, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Different Dream Parenting is Taking Shape

Wow, seeing Different Dream Parenting: A Practical Guide to Raising a Child with Special Needs take shape is exciting for so many reasons. The stories, advice, resources shared by parents and professionals during research interviews has been spine-tingling at times. Thank You, Discovery House Publishers And last week, I did a little happy dance after seeing the cover design Discovery House Publishers... read more

Sep 20, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Seriously? There’s an App for That?

For the past month and a half, I’ve been conducting almost daily interviews as part of the research for my new book project,  Different Dream Parenting: Raising a Child with Special Needs. Every interview is a mind-expanding experience as parents and experts share what they’ve learned from their children and patients. Factor VII Deficiency Tiffany and John lost their third child, Ethan, when... read more

Aug 25, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Hot Button Phrases: Parent Responses, Part 5

Today I’m wrapping up the series on phrases that push the hot buttons for parents of kids with special needs. (You can read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 by clicking on the respective links.) Over the past two weeks, several parents have shared phrases that get them all steamed up, and today is no different. But today’s mom makes me smile (hence the smile button) for two reasons. First,... read more

Aug 23, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Hot Button Phrases: Parent Responses, Part 4

Phew, is all this talk of hot button phrases making you sweat? If you aren’t today’s thought-provoking response will do the trick. (If you haven’t read the previous posts in the series – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 – you may want to read them first to get some background.) Otherwise, here we go! I Don’t Like “Disabled” or “Special Needs” The mother of... read more

Aug 20, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Hot Button Phrases: Parent Responses, Part 3

I’m glad to see you back for the latest post about hot button phrases. The first post in the series was about words that pushed my buttons when our son was small. In the second post, the mother of a child with Noonan’s Syndrome shared her hot button phrases. Today, you’ll hear from a mom who responded to my original call for hot button phrases with outstanding grace and consideration for... read more