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She saw him from across the room. I’m sure everyone in the restaurant did. However, the difference was Jess wanted to meet the young man while the other patrons tried not to notice him. As far as Jessie was concerned, a person being on the spectrum…

For a moment, I lost her. We had just been swimming and were walking back to the car. I doubled back to put the inner tubes away and the next thing I knew, she disappeared. The gate was locked and Jess was a gone girl. My…

This morning was like any other day, except it wasn’t. Instead of my doing “everything,” Jess pitched in to help without being asked! As a mom, it’s almost always easier to do chores myself, but I need to stop that. It’s…

Several years ago, when I was given the choice of going to an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention or the Closing The Gap (CTG) Conference to help in the Speak for Yourself booth, hands down, I chose CTG. The reason…

During the summer, Jess goes out twice a week with Shonda. I like that they go exploring and shopping together. Yes, it’s nice to have alone time, but it’s even better for Jess not to be with her mom all the time. If she were a…

The one thing I know for certain is that life does not go as planned. When Jess was a wee one, I assumed she’d be a barn rat (someone who lives and breathes horses) and have friends to tell her secrets to. Though…

Every Fourth of July, Nathan’s has a hot dog eating contest. This year’s winner scarfed down 74 dogs within 10 minutes — a feat that leaves me feeling both awed and disgusted. First of all, why? Why would someone want…

On the first day of July, there’s barely a breeze. It’s 88 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s not yet 10 a.m. By mid-afternoon, the temp is set to climb to a wicked-hot 97 degrees. I hear the song “Heat Wave” in my head, and I…

Regarding seizures, we just experienced the perfect storm. Jess had her period and was ill. A few months ago, I took her off the pill. She’d been on it since she was a teen, and it enabled her to be weaned off all medications.

Kids get sick, it’s to be expected. However, we have had some memorable moments. Like the time we were walking around a Home Depot Expo after eating an Italian dinner (being specific so you can visualize). We were in the bathroom section when I noticed Jess…