“I am glad that Ellie is your only girl.” I hear that or a variation of that a lot. Honestly, I have thought it myself on occasion. The idea is that if Ellie had a sister, she would grow up trying to be like her. The fear behind it is that if her sister were…
Extraordinary: A Typical Day in the Special Life of Michael Joe Lanari
Eighteen-year-old Michael Joe is a self-taught drummer who plans to study music in college. Before COVID-19, Michael Joe was a DJ at a central Arkansas pizza restaurant. “We were at lunch one day and the owner came over to the table and he and Michael Joe just hit it off and were talking and he…
Extraordinary: A Typical Day in the Special Life of Brandon Freville
Tell me a little about yourself.I’m 28 years old and have right side cerebral palsy. I am able to drive. I have a truck that has been modified with a left side gas pedal and a steering knob. After I graduated from ACCESS, I studied and earned my GED. Where do you work? Are you…
What I Wish I Knew Then
Heather Honaker visited with four family members of children with special needs for this month’s special focus. They offered tips from their personal experience on what they did right in raising a special needs child – and what they wish they could do again. Here’s Heather with more: We got a Down syndrome (DS) diagnosis…
Healthier Tomorrows
I started running nearly ten years ago. It has never been anything that I really enjoy and the habit comes and goes. I’ve sworn it off plenty of times in the past and mostly just walk now because of injuries, but if I get overwhelmed, stressed out or excited, I find myself out there running…
Extraordinary: A Typical Day in a Special Life of Lila Morrow
Young artisan Lila used one of her favorite therapy projects to begin her first business before most kids even think about starting elementary school. Introduce us to Lila.Lila is a vibrant and active 7-year-old girl who has Down syndrome. The moment she was born, our lives changed forever. We knew Lila would have Down syndrome…
Extraordinary: Big News
I had never really spent any significant time with anyone who had special needs before my daughter Ellie was born. We were told about her Down syndrome diagnosis while I was pregnant and I spent a lot of that time hoping, wishing and praying that I could change her. I read books and blogs and…
Colleges Work to Empower Special Students
All parents worry about the future — no matter if the child is typically developing or not. Knowing that attending school and learning alongside peers is an option means every child has the opportunity to follow any dream. When I learned my daughter would be born with special needs, I started my research with parents…
Why can’t you be more like Ellie?
Even though she has an undesired, greatly feared disability, I sure do think, “Why can’t you be more like Ellie?” a lot. I was scared of her before she was born. If I’m being honest, I am still scared of her. I obsess about her Down syndrome making her seem less than everyone else. I…
