Tag / Special Needs Parenting

by Colleen Berlingieri

We All Need A Little Respite

Respite Image

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what is means to me!…” 

As my plane slowly descended onto the runway at Detroit Airport, I found myself humming this Motown classic.  I was returning from a rare long weekend in Nashville with my husband and NO KIDS!

As I looked out the window of the plane, the song’s chorus kept repeating in my head. I closed my eyes—took a deep breath—and pictured myself on stage rocking a sequins dress and belting out the tunes.  And just like that, I was the Queen of Soul, but my version went something like this:

R-E-S-P-I-T-E

Find out what it means to me

R-E-S-P-I-T-E

Take care, TCB

Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)….

I smiled to myself and pushed up my seat tray – it was no small feat, but I had done it. I had gone away with my husband for three whole days!

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by Colleen Berlingieri

Yearbooks Get Me Every Time

 

Yearbook

Does anyone else cry when they look through yearbooks?

I was sitting in my living room this morning crying like a baby. My youngest son, Jacob, has given me his 6th grade yearbook to flip through.

Jake: Mom! Are you crying? You are so weird!

Me: Never mind – get me a Kleenex – some day you will understand! Continue reading →

by Colleen Berlingieri

The Great Adventure

fat-wheels-pic

Twenty-four years ago my oldest son Geordi , (Geo), was born with big blue eyes, dark curly hair and chubby little cheeks that made you want to smother them in kisses. He was also born “fussy” – not wanting to sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time and not feeding well. As time went on, he was also late to sit, crawl, walk and talk. By the age of two, he was diagnosed as, “developmentally delayed” – cause unknown.

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by Colleen Berlingieri

When The Shoe Is On The Other Foot

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My 23- year-old son Geo has a cognitive disability and still has trouble putting his shoes on the right feet.

I always joke that if he could pick the lottery numbers with the same knack that he has for consistently putting his shoes on the wrong feet I would have been a millionaire a long time ago…..

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by Colleen Berlingieri

Peach Therapy

peach-therapy

My son Geordi, (Geo), was born with an intellectual disability as well as a speech disorder.

Like many of you, I have spent hours upon hours in waiting rooms at doctor’s offices and therapy clinics. In a frantic effort to “fix” my son, I dragged him to every therapy I could find (and AFFORD!).

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by Colleen Berlingieri

My Tribe

original_love-my-tribe-arrow-handmade-small-sign

I spoke to a customer on the phone yesterday for about 20 minutes or so.  It began as usual with questions about FATWHEELS & bikes and parts and prices.  Nothing special until I asked – “what is your daughter’s name?”  This is when the interaction turned personal.  This is when Mom told me that her “baby” has autism.

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by Colleen Berlingieri

Hello? Is Anybody Out There?

coffee-cup-and-computer

I am what they call “Old School.”  I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the new age of technology.  However, I had an “aha” moment last week when all the planets aligned, the clouds parted and I truly saw the “miracle” of social media and the positive effect it can have on a family dealing with disability.

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