Growing up as a young girl, summer camp was a typical affair. Packed lunches kept cold with frozen freezer packs, seemingly endless slip n' slides, activities, games, contests. Every morning, the author was eager to wake up and head off to hours and hours of fun with friends and counselors. However, one may think the camping experience could not…

In this article, the authors share their experience in taking care of their daughter, Elyse, who was in and out of the hospital when she was a child, battling numerous doctors' visits. Throughout the years, Elyse has taught their family about the importance of the human spirit and that they should appreciate others for who they are, no matter what…

In this article, the author talks about the "it can't happen to me" mentality, which makes humans think they are physically invincible and have been guilty of thinking so. The author learned the danger of the "it can't happen to me" syndrome when she was disabled in a car accident in February 1994. The accident happened when she was 21 years old,…

When one has a child with special needs, chances are he or she is the only one in his or her immediate circle of family and friends. It can be downright frightening to be this isolated, given the profound severity of the situation. With neither friends nor family to connect with in Colorado, the author and his wife Renee reached out to the online…

Waiting rooms are oases for mothers of children with special needs. They congregate in these small holding areas, sitting on musty couches, while their children receive the latest therapeutic interventions. Sometimes they sit quietly, sneaking glances at each other while pretending to read year-old "People" magazines. Sometimes they crawl under a…

Transportation challenges can often be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to having a successful vocational experience. The author presents a personal account of the difficulties people with disabilities encounter in trying to get themselves to their workplaces due to the limitations of various mobility services.

If one asks any family, or a group of families, to share their experience with religious communities or to talk about the impact of their child on their spirituality, the answers one gets are rarely lukewarm. If the trust is there, stories emerge about how incredibly important their faith or faith community has been, on the one hand, or perhaps…

A mother of a son with epilepsy and dyslexia offers 10 guidelines for parents including: acknowledge your grief; recognize assets and limitations; encourage independence; ignore unsolicited advice; be proud of your child's achievements; make use of financial aid; subscribe to newsletters; get to know your child's physician; and make time for…

A disabled man recounts negative experiences in his church's Sunday school and confirmation class. (CL)

When Candee Fick's daughter was in the first grade, her self-contained special education class planted some crocus bulbs in September. The crocus bulbs were going to be Christmas presents for the children's families. However, the plants were not watered once as the teacher became busy. When Christmas came, the teacher decided that there was a good…

The mother of an autistic child shares 10 tips for traveling with a handicapped child. (DB)

A disabled young adult recounts difficulties and successes in living on his own. (CL)

The author discusses his philosophy of life and education, noting differences in the way American and Scandinavian cultures conceptualize what human beings are. He asserts that all humans have value. (CL)

The case study examines the causes and effects of childhood teasing on disabled children and notes the added stress of a new house and new neighborhood. Becoming more acquainted with community and school resources is seen as one way of dealing with the situation. (CL)

The mother of a disabled young adult recounts her daughter's steady progress in a work adjustment program that featured a special job-site coordinator assigned to her. (CL)