Columns

June 7, 2019June 5, 2019

Familiarity Is the Foundation for Acceptance

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

This past weekend was action-packed from front to back. There was Jessie’s last dance of the season, a wedding to which the whole family was invited (doesn’t always happen), ... Read more

May 10, 2019May 8, 2019

Angelman on the Trail

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

Last week, on a clear, sunny day, we decided to go on a hike. My daughter Jessie complained every step of the way, and I loved every minute of ... Read more

April 12, 2019April 11, 2019

I’m Learning to Encourage Active Listening

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

Jessie took the Goober Grape out of the cabinet and handed it to me. I said, “Oh, you are hungry, I need to find some bread,” and proceeded to ... Read more

April 5, 2019April 3, 2019

Angels Are Clever and Sneaky

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

Well, well, well, if Jess isn’t turning into a regular 007. Typically, when caught, she’s a deer in headlights, but not this time. While we were getting dressed for ... Read more

March 22, 2019March 20, 2019

Fundraising and the Butterfly Effect

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

Fear, anger, and disbelief were just some of the emotions experienced upon realizing my daughter was not making her milestones. These stages came in no particular order. I kept ... Read more

March 8, 2019March 7, 2019

Having Fun While Building Skills

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

When it rains, it pours. When it snows, we play hooky. Today we are taking advantage of (hopefully) the last snowstorm of the season. We’d decided the night before ... Read more

March 1, 2019February 28, 2019

Board Games Bring Family Fun and Rewards for Our Angel

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

Board games are meant to be fun, but they have not been a source of lighthearted entertainment for our family in the past. My daughter’s poor fine motor skills ... Read more

February 15, 2019February 14, 2019

‘And That’s All I Have to Say About That!’

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

After writing this column for a year, quoting Forrest Gump sums up my state of mind: “And that’s all I have to say about that.” I’ve come to a ... Read more

January 25, 2019January 24, 2019

Fun Times with My Angel

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

When the cat’s away, the mice will play. With Jessie’s dad out of town all week, life was different. Our schedule didn’t revolve around him and we took full ... Read more

January 11, 2019January 9, 2019

Whose Art Is It Anyway?

Columns, Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

You know what is worse than a forgery? Art that comes home that was completed by an aide and not by my child. The first clue is that the ... Read more