Welcome to the Special Needs Reads blog! Where I have all kinds of Reads on things Special Needs!

I thought for post #1, I’d tell you a little about myself, why I am blogging, and what info I will be sharing with you.

I have a child with special needs.

Shocked? I know you are! J I’ll give you the quick lo-down on who I am, with more info to follow later:

Many moons ago, I was just out of university and was a young teacher, eager to conquer the world! I got married and became pregnant right away. Being the naïve young person I was, I expected to be able to have the baby, stay home with him for a year, then return to teaching. Of course, I'd then pop out another kid or two later, and somehow advance in my career. Life didn’t work out the way I originally planned. At about 9 months of age (after seeing our son not hit his milestones, a whole story in itself), he was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome.

Our son, Cameron, has been a complete blessing, but of course we have had some challenges along the way. He is low-functioning for someone with AS. At 7 years old, he is still not walking. He has had problems with seizures (under control the past few years), debilitating reflux, major feeding problems, which led to him needing a g-tube. He is so tactile defensive, he still will not use his hands to grasp anything. It hasn’t been an easy road, but it is my road. My road isn’t paved. It’s full of gravel and potholes and crows that sit on powerlines overhead and caw at me... Ok, enough of the analogy- I obviously am overtired.

Back to the story-

We introduced a baby girl when Cameron was only 2 years old, and she is now 5. Of course, a painful reminder, I put all the milestone books away. What is the point of those books anyway? And now Cameron has another baby sister, who is presently 16 months. The milestone books were never pulled out for her. I have adopted the belief that every child will develop in their own time, with encouragement and support. I don't need a book or list to tell me what they should be doing.

Both girls have been absolutely wonderful with him, and it is so amazing to watch them grow together and learn from each other.

I never did return to teaching. Instead, quite by accident, but because of Cameron, I started my own business, Lil’ Angel Gifts. The first few products I created were because of him. I felt only right naming my company after him, and of course my logo is designed to look like him. My children, my husband, my business, and my writing all keep me very busy. I get very little sleep- partly because my son won’t let me, but also because my creative brain won’t shut off.

So, what am I going to share with you? Everything special needs. Everything Special you Needs to Reads!

Specifically- blessings, challenges, useful products, my own feelings on certain areas, poop parties, tips & tricks, frustrations (insurance companies, finding funding), resources for parents and teachers,  and fun stuff. I hope to even get a few ‘guest bloggers’ on to share their stories.

Prepare for a fun experience! And don’t forget to add this blog to your feed!