Super Therapy Mom

According to my brother, the Peace Corps got it right when they said it was “the toughest job you’ll ever love.”  But, I think the phrase could equally apply to motherhood. As an adoptive parent, I never experienced pregnancy and all the fun, pain, and wonder that comes along with it.  Instead, I adopted a daughter from Russia and another from Guatemala with all the fun, pain, and wonder that comes along with that. I love being a mother, but it is the toughest job I’ve ever had…without training.  As I watch them grow into beautiful young ladies, I am struck at how much work goes into raising them. Raising  “normal” child is difficult and challenging enough, but when a child has special needs, such… [more]

“If you don’t have hope…you have nothing.” These words are from a true Super Mom. While looking for references about HBOT and autism earlier today, I ran across an article about an awesomely dedicated mom named Shannon Kenitz, whose daughter Grace has a rare mitochondrial disease. Shortly after Grace’s birth, Shannon realized something wasn’t right. At three months, she was hospitalized, having lost weight to only about 5 lbs. She was diagnosed with failure to thrive, but no other answers. She began suffering from seizures, and at about 1 ½ years old, was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease. Doctors did not give Grace a hopeful prognosis. She was already blind, and with the type of mitochondrial disease she had… [more]

I’m ashamed to admit that I was late to another therapy appointment. I’m afraid I’m taking this Pseudo Super Therapy Mom thing too far. But, it came at an opportune time to use it in one of those little lessons that you hope will impact your child and make a difference in behavior. Our nine year old is probably having the worst year of her life. She just can’t seem to do her homework or get it turned in, obey her teacher or her parents, or even keep up with any of her personal belongings or desired extra curricular activities. I was nearly at my wits end with her so I made a doctors appointment for an ADD… [more]

Does the therapist know your phone number by heart and call you ten minutes after you’re suppose to be at an appointment to ask if you’re still coming? Has it happened more times than you’re willing to really tell anyone? This time I couldn’t pretend like I was already on my way and maybe just stuck in traffic because I had just answered the phone. Yep, I forgot again. Do I blame it on being over forty or on just being overwhelmed this week? Honestly I used to pride myself on always being at least ten minutes early to every appointment, every meeting the children needed to attend, every practice, every game and every church service. Not only was… [more]

This week Super Therapy Mom (STM) actually thought she might lose ol' Barney -- her big purple mini-van. STM was headed home last Thursday from another school due process "non-resolution" session when it happened. About 45 minutes into the commute home the "service engine soon" light came on. But no other symptoms. Now Barney isn't a spring chicken. STM and her husband, Completely Awesome Dad (CAD), bought Barney when he was about 2 years old back in 2000, when he had 30,000 miles. Now, some 125,000 miles later...Barney, who has a new transmission, water pump, fuel pump and nearly every other part replaced and has run like a top for about a year now, was ailing. Just as STM… [more]

All true super heroes have side kicks, right? Well, Super Therapy Mom is no exception. And who better to help Super Therapy Mom than a permanent, full-time case manager -- Barbie. Case Manager Barbie showed up on Super Therapy Mom's doorstep a couple years ago and has been with her through a variety of episodes - each time bringing her calm steady smile to the crisis. See, nothing ever phases Barbie - she just picks up that tiny little cell phone and starts dialing. Which is exactly what she did this week when Super Therapy Mom was faced with The Runaround -- wading through the bureaucracy and getting the appointments set. The friend who sent Case Manager Barbie to Super Therapy Mom sent along… [more]

In the continuing saga of Super Therapy Mom, our heroine meets up today with "The Runaround". The Runaround is definitely one of Super Therapy Mom's arch-enemies and is capable of quickly derailing Super Therapy Mom's day entirely. The episode goes something like this.... Super Therapy Mom, on the advice of her special ed attorney (who may have been infected with The Second Guesser, but we'll cover that in a later episode), called for an appointment for a speech and language evaluation AND a specialized central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) evaluation. Careful to call exactly who the attorney recommended, Super Therapy Mom found the speech professional to be incredibly kind, helpful and willing to see her daughter at her earliest appointment. Then the… [more]

When the going gets tough...the tough imagine themselves as super heroes. At least that's how it happens around here! So, it's time I introduce you to my alter ego -- Super Therapy Mom! Who would have thunk it??? At the first sign of trouble, mild mannered Julie could instantly transform into Super Therapy Mom, willing to take on the forces of evil that prevent LuLu from getting whatever assistance in healing, education and emotional support she needs. In this first episode of Super Therapy Mom, we see Mom in her natural habitat...the driver's seat of her noble steed (aka the purple mini-van her kids call Barney) speeding from one therapy appointment to the next, with a quick stop by the local pharmacy… [more]