Enjoy the videos! (They’re all pretty short!)

Jillian taking first steps across our living room! December 17, 2010

Walking with a toy shopping cart. May 18, 2010

Trying to learn how to climb stairs. July 27, 2011

And finally, today. May 24, 2012 I’m so proud of both my girls. And I’m excited to share this with you! Thanks for joining us on this journey.

Special needs blogging is somewhat of a tight fitting group. No matter what our children have been diagnosed with, we all find ways to muddle through things together. And show each other kindness and empathy as only  other special needs parents can. (No hating on those typically developing kids parents, I know some of them who get it too! )

Here is what I found: (warning, this picture has offensive language in it)

In case it is difficult to read, it says: “What is with all the special needs kids in the regular park? I thought they had parks for them.

This says: “I’m not saying that crippled kids do not deserve to have fun. I’m saying that real kids do not need to look at the cripples. What if my nephew just ate lunch and then went to the park and saw a drooly retard on his slide? Should my precious nephew have to slide through the Down Syndrome Kid’s train? I would argue NO.

Finally: “Amy, I do not really disagree with you. I just think that liberal America uses the term special to describe these kids. They are not special. They cannot contribute to anything useful. They are fine. I am not sure what to do about this. Obviously, I can’t teach my kids that belief. I just hate being with my nephew and waiting for some kid that makes animal noises and drools to slide down the slide. AND then the mom and dad act like it was an accomplishment. The kid deserves the best kid he can have, but he is a genetic failure and should not be afforded priority. Sometimes retarded kids work hard and become ashamed, but I am not going to tell you that I feel differently”

Wow. A lot to take in, right? I don’t even think I can begin to formulate proper sentences. When I first read this, I was seething. I don’t care if it was a joke or not. This is definitely not acceptable. First off: Have you seen many special needs parks? Because I haven’t. And I live in a huge metropolitan area in Canada. The equipment is really expensive, just like all the other things for my daughter.

Apparently “crippled” kids deserve fun too. Wow! How big of you! I really hope your nephews parents are instilling better morals and values than you have. What if my “typically developing” daughter sneezed on the slide. Would it be ok for your precious little nephew to maybe, almost, touch it? And frankly, sometimes when I’m giggling hysterically, I drool too. I best stay off the slides.

I do celebrate every little accomplishment. You have no idea how full of determination my daughter is. So excuse me while I stand at the sidelines, praising the fact that she pulled herself up to standing. With your way of thinking, perhaps YOU are the faulty gene. Maybe you should have a little faith in all retarded kids to help them mainstream. Clearly, they would probably win at the human race more than you would.

Now, please step aside. My cripple and I would like to run over your toes.

(Photo Credits)

This seat boasts that you will never need to use toilet paper again! It has heated seat, heated water (for cleansing) and a fan for drying. I happened to put my caption as: “Piss or get off the pot? I don’t think I’d ever get off of that thing” Too bad I can never use the bathroom on my own at the moment anyway!

I’m an avid reader and I’ve mentioned that a few times around here! I was super excited to get asked to review Diane Chamberlain’s new book, The Good Father. I actually started with my reviews and giveaways with Diane’s book last year, The Midwife’s Confession. I was definitely excited to read this one too! As with the last review, I promise, NO SPOILERS!!

From the book jacket:

A beloved daughter. A devastating choice.
And now there’s no going back.

Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown had to make a life changing decision. While his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home raising his newborn daughter on his own – changing diapers and working to keep food on the table.  But he’s never regretted his decision. Bella is the light of his life – the reason behind every move he makes – and so far, she is fed.  Cared for.  Safe.

But when Travis loses his construction job and his home, the security he’s worked so hard to create for Bella begins to crumble…

Bestselling author of The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, The Midwife’s Confession, andThe Lies We Told, Diane Chamberlain, returns with her latest and most gripping novel to date, THE GOOD FATHER (Harlequin MIRA; April 24, 2012; $14.95 U.S./$17.95 CAN.), showing the great lengths a father will go to provide for his little girl.

Just when Travis is at a loss for solutions, a job in Raleigh opens up with the power to change their situation.  It has to.  But upon arriving in Raleigh, there is no job, only an offer to participate in a onetime criminal act that promises quick money and no repercussions.

With nowhere else to turn, Travis must make another choice for his daughter’s sake.  Even if it means he might lose her.

This book is as gripping as the Midwife’s Confession. I also want to share a little confession, after I read the Midwife’s Confession, I may or may not have loaded up my kobo app to read them. They’re that good! And guess what? One of you guys gets to win a copy of The Good Father! Also, there will be a live blog tour with Q&A with Diane herself on May 31, you can get info here and I’ll post a reminder before then!

How to win: Please enter using the rafflecopter form located below. This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada. Once I have drawn a winner, you will have 48 hours to respond with your address before I’ll have to pick another winner. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I’m back for more fun with Adventures in Extreme Parenthood! I would love to see what you would come up with for Ryan to say to you, or your kid!

Well, Ryan, if you would like the real experience, walk on your tippy toes ALL day with your knees bent. Then I’ll help you get rid of muscle spasms.

(Jillian practicing with “REAL” stairs)

Recently, I was able to attend a blog event, celebrating mom’s with Ronald McDonald House in downtown Toronto. I went on behalf of my friend Julie who blogs at Sober Julie. If you would like to check out my experience and maybe leave me some love, do so here!

I will also be posting at Bewildered Bug’s blog about a recent trip to the zoo on her behalf, it was so much fun! I’ll definitely update when I send her my final draft of the post. Look for it tonight, Serena!

Finally, I have to tell you a quick story. A month or so ago, an awesome blogging friend of mine, Tenille who blogs at Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous came into Toronto as part of the McDonald’s All Access Mom’s program. I offered to take her out for poutine and to meet in real life. Thankfully, she forgave me for the ridiculous walking tour I took her on with blisters on her feet. Totally not my fault I got over excited about what we were talking about and I forgot where we were going. Sorry again, Tenille, come back and I’ll make it up to you!

Tenille has done the most amazing thing. She is part of a new program that is being run by Walmart Canada. It’s the Mom of the Year campaign and it’s brand new to Walmart Canada this year. Tenille has done the unthinkable. She nominated little old me for the award. I’m beyond touched and honored, honestly. I feel like a tool by saying “It’s an honor just to be nominated” but seriously, it is. She’s one in a million that one.

From Walmart Canada:

About the Mom of the Year Award
This year Walmart is launching the Mom of the Year Award to help celebrate and recognize the huge contribution moms make as role models and integral members of the family and community.  This award will become an annual program to celebrate all that Mom does and shine a light on what is important to her.
Nominations will be accepted Mother’s Day (May 13) through July 8, 2012 and can be submitted through www.momoftheyear.ca. They can come from daughters, sons, family members, friends, colleagues or community members. Eight finalists will be selected and notified in mid-August and will be treated to an award celebration weekend in September. The Mom of the Year Award recipient will receive $10,000 for personal use and $100,000 to their cause or charity of choice. The remaining seven finalists will each receive $10,000 for personal use and $10,000 to their cause or charity of choice.

Feel free to head to Tenille’s post and read how wonderful she makes me sound. I’m so grateful to have such great friends.

So there’s this meme going around for a bit. Pictures of the ever hunky (and Canadian! woot!) Ryan Gosling saying “Hey Girl…” followed by some wickedly awesome phrase.  Sunday from Adventures in Extreme Parenthood began a regular meme for special needs bloggers to link up their ideas on what Ryan Gosling would say to us. And let me tell you, they’re all pretty hilarious. (I especially like Amanda’s from last week. Hi Amanda! Thanks for making me participate!) I bow to peer pressure and Amanda has been asking me for WEEKS to play along, so today, you’re welcome. You will see just how un-witty and un-awesome I am. Much like in real life. At least online I can get by on my children’s good looks and hilarity.

Dear Hands Free Mama,

I read your post about how to miss a childhood. Interesting, don’t you think? I have never read your blog before, but even the title of your blog is “Hands Free Mama” great thought… Urging mothers (in general) to put down their electronic devices (cell phones, laptops and the like) in order to spend time with their children. I find it kinda ironic that I came across your post when it went viral, so there must be a lot of us moms just sitting around eating bon bons around the interwebs.

Congratulations on a viral post! I know they’re somewhat hard to come by. The sentiment of the article is good, I mean, I love my children as much as the next person, but I shouldn’t be reminded to spend time with them. Have we become that judgy? I mean women are judgmental at the best of times and now you write a whole post about how much time we’re not spending with our children?

Plus… I’m not one to play tit for tat, but this article is post number 3942 for you. I haven’t checked your archives to see how long you’ve been blogging, but I’ve had my blog since ’07. I already know I’m not the greatest blogger in the world but I only have just under 700 posts since then. I feel that 3942 isn’t exactly hands free, is it? But really, I don’t know for sure. I don’t like to judge unless I’m actually in your shoes.

If you were to spend some time with me, you’d see that I DO have my phone with me often. My blogging usually happens quite late at night so I can spend time with my children AND my husband. If my children come to me and need/want me, they have me. They get my undivided attention. A huge reason my phone is with me? My youngest daughter has special needs, walks with a walker, is learning how to self propel a wheelchair oh and have I mentioned we don’t live near my friends and family? I share these things, via this amazing little hand held device called my iPhone. Not only do I capture HER and what she’s accomplishing, but her sister gets equal opportunity. Wouldn’t want to be accused of giving Lauren face to face time while I tape all of Jillian’s moves after all. Oh, I kid.

Really though, I just find it slightly funny that I came across your post via my little hand held device. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some kids to ignore.