The inside-out view from the fort in the woods at the end of the road. When Stella was three, she was head-over-heels into ballet. She took creative dance classes with some toe pointing and ballet basics woven in. At home, she'd wear her tutu and watch YouTube clips of internationally renowned ballet companies, memorizing the… Continue reading Down time. And looking up.
Autism as superpower: Ode to the Gretas and Stellas
Ableist people insist that Greta Thunberg is a puppet. If you ask me, after I catch my breath lost from laughing, it's not possible. Not rooted in reality. It's also deeply insulting and misguided to assume a lack of agency in this bright and courageous girl. The doubters haven't the faintest hint of a clue… Continue reading Autism as superpower: Ode to the Gretas and Stellas
I moved 3,000 miles to get stuck. Help?
Earlier this year, I lost my mom. In the wake of that enormous, indescribable loss, I re-evaluated everything. I left my job. A job that was not perfect, but one that I was skilled at performing, that provided a creative outlet and wonderful people to be around, and that I usually enjoyed. We sold our… Continue reading I moved 3,000 miles to get stuck. Help?
Autistic thinking is a creative boon
Just wanted to share an article I wrote for work with inspiration from Stella: "Autism as Advantage: The Case for Neurodiversity in Design." Let me know what you think. https://medium.com/ha-perspectives/autism-as-advantage-the-case-for-neurodiversity-in-design-c6b076cda990 Despite the stereotypes and unfair assumptions that abound, many autistic people are flourishing in creative fields from poetry to illustration to film thanks to their adeptness at… Continue reading Autistic thinking is a creative boon
Big kid years
(This post is directly from Stella. These are her own words, even her own choice of title. Out of the blue tonight, she said she wanted to update everyone on her life.) I am now nine years old, and almost ten. I play guitar now, and I love sushi. I love learning about different cultures,… Continue reading Big kid years
End the intolerable cruelty.
By the end of World War II, more than three million people had been evacuated from European cities to stay clear of German bombs. Most of the evacuees were babies and children voluntarily separated from and by their parents in an attempt to keep little ones safe. It turned out that the risk of separation… Continue reading End the intolerable cruelty.
On the madness of the world
I would like to chime in. However briefly and inconsequentially. This blog post will be hastily written but also from the heart. I am terrified and enraged about the actions unfolding from our nation's capitol. Through this blog, I have connected with mothers (and a couple of fathers) from around the world. Australia. Pakistan. England.… Continue reading On the madness of the world
To Parents in the Storm
I don't write about Stella very much anymore. Not because there's nothing inspiring to share, but for fear of crossing boundaries and exposing a person who is all her own. That said, I know that there are still parents around the world reading this blog because their baby or young child is facing challenges with feeding… Continue reading To Parents in the Storm
Winter is leaving
I will miss her bracing brisk air Sharp crystals and soft mounds of snow A rest from heat and pause in growth Cold quiet that heightens your aliveness And insulates the roots of the trees We have softened ourselves flat In the warmth of convenience Except in plastic decorative odes To ancient seasonality and rhythm… Continue reading Winter is leaving
I am not a poet but
A short, simple poem came to me today. It emerged out of nowhere, after some rainy gardening. It also happened to appear amid ongoing efforts to stay positive despite a barrage of cold news. Stella still faces some challenges but is doing well. She just started second grade (said her first day was "awesome!") and achieved 10/10 in 3D vision testing for… Continue reading I am not a poet but
