Flexibility, Expectations, and Travel

We went! We did the thing. We took our first cruise. Also, we included our special needs daughter, who has been on limited travel with us for the last few years. It started with a hopeful question, “Could we take her on a cruise?” Unlike other travel, we would not be closed in on an…

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Count Your Blessings

Kim and Kelly @ SpeakUp

In a few weeks, we will say goodbye to 2023. Recently, I’ve been mindful that it has been a great year! As a special needs mom/family, if we’re not careful, the challenges and logistics can get highlighted more than the blessings. Not this year! Here are some of the things I’m thankful for in 2023……

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Saying Thank You

Hope is Alive with Tim Tebow - Joe & Kim Cusimano

Saying Thank You Fifteen seconds, that’s about all the time we spent with Tim Tebow. However, that was long enough to say thank you. I’m sure he has heard it a thousand times, but I needed to say it one time, personally. Tim Tebow’s foundation sponsors the Night to Shine event for adults with differing…

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Coming Soon! Life In The Estrogen-Free Zone

Kim Cusimano Contributor EF Zone

Life In The Estrogen-Free Zone Coming Soon! As a mom to two sons, one a Navy officer and the other an Elvis tribute artist, I know something about every son being different. Also, having a son with differing abilities and some special needs has been a journey in learning many new mom lessons. I look forward to…

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Tend the Roses

Image of a Rose

As special needs parents, we care for people daily and have added responsibilities. We generally don’t want to add more chores around the house. But hear me out. I would submit we also tend to something else besides caring for our loved ones, something that grows and brings life to our homes in other ways.…

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Having Fun Trying

Nate and Anna at Frozen

We took our 24-year-old daughter to see Frozen, the musical. Honestly, we were hesitant to spend the money on the tickets. We just never know what she will enjoy. If you ask her in advance, she often says “no” to offers to do something fun. Her emotional cues can be flat and hard to read.…

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One Day at a Time

present tag with red and white string placed on white background

Oh, 2022, where have you gone? It’s December, and I can feel the year fading fast. I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect and update. I have been on an unintended/unplanned sabbatical of sorts. I write on this site to encourage special needs parents and caregivers, yet this year I had to take…

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Devotions of the Distracted Heart

Eyechart

Peg Arnold is a dear friend who heads up the vibrant ministry, Wonder of Women. Peg graciously invited me to contribute a blog for her devotional series, Distractions of the Heart. The following was posted on pegarnold.org, but I also wanted to share it with my readers. I enjoyed writing it, and it comes with a…

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Afraid? Go Anyway!

Lynnette Simm and Kim Cusimano

As a special needs family, we are blessed to have friends and extended family who come alongside us and have the courage to be ALL IN when it comes to walking through difficult times with us. About a year or so ago, our special needs daughter was going through a tough time. We were trying…

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Picture Perfect

Anna Picture Perfect Blog Image

It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and I’m basking in the glow of having had our family together around the table. Like many, we missed getting to celebrate with our extended families. 2020 brought a more intimate gathering of “just us.” My husband and I sat with only our four, nearly all grown children. We laughed…

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