Dancing Behind You
The rain pounded against the roof of the restaurant. “I’ll get the car,” my dad said, as we stood under an awning ready to leave. I did my best to shelter Max and keep him dry. Max loves to get wet in a pool, or in the shower, but one drop haphazardly landing on his clothes can throw him into a panic. My dad popped open an umbrella, and darted across the shiny street into the night.
While we waited for the car we stood beside an outdoor bar that took full advantage of the warm Florida climate. I looked inside and saw Continue Reading…
Slippery Slope
It’s a bit of a cliché. The three days in which I had to prepare a talk on the joys of life with Max, were the same three days in which Max decided to follow his genetic predisposition and become the kind of teenager I was – moody, irritable, and at risk of being sold to the nearest band of gypsies. We went to the beach…he lost his iPod. We went to a parade…he lost his wallet. We came home…I tried my best not to “lose it.”
Max was nervous, that’s all. I knew he was struggling with anxiety because I felt it too. In just a few days we would Continue Reading…
Thank you Willow Creek
Dear friends at Willow Creek.
Thank you for your hospitality. I am overwhelmed. My dad and I had a wonderful time speaking at your church this weekend. Thank you for caring so much about our families with disabilities.
I loved meeting so many of you after the services. But I needed more time! I want to hear YOUR story. Would you share it with me here? If you have a story that might help others, I’d love to post it. And if you weren’t at Willow Creek today, we missed you. I want to hear your story too.
“You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”
Psalm 30:11-12
Joy Burst
“My son has a job here,” I said in a much too loud voice, loving the sound of it. “So we have a family membership.” The girl behind the counter scanned my YMCA card. “My son got this for me, because he works here.” I almost couldn’t help repeating myself. I knew I sounded like one of those older women…the ones with the multi-colored tracksuits and cloth visors who constantly refer to their first-born as, “My son the doctor.” Continue Reading…
Willow Creek Date Change!
If you were planning to join my dad and me on March 19 & 20 at Willow Creek Church in Chicago, we’ve changed the date. We are so sorry for any inconvenience. We have a family medical emergency. Please spread the word to anyone you know if the Chicago area.
We are now scheduled to speak at Willow Creek on June 11 & 12.
I hope you can make it! It’s going to be a great time!
7 month mystery
Let me tell you what I most love about sharing these Picture Talks. They help us understand how much of the world someone with autism takes in, even if they don’t have the language skills to tell you. All experiences are imported like a computer, scanned and perfectly preserved. But once that information arrives in the mind, portions get twisted and turned and routed to the wrong file folder. Experiences that should be stored under Continue Reading…
Perfect Date
In our 11 years and 1,400 Picture Talks, this one is my favorite. Max dictated this to me when he was 14 years old. While Max’s early picture Talks centered around his constant and consuming fears, his later Picture Talks show growth, a shift of focus, and yes, the passing of puberty.
Max likes girls.
If all Max wants is to have a date on paper, with me as both artist and moral compass, it’s a mother’s dream. Continue Reading…
Willow Creek Date Change!
Our visit to Willow Creek Church in Chicago has been changed! My dad and I will now be speaking there on the weekend of June 11 & 12. My appologies – we have a family emergency. But the great news is that Willow Creek Church is very excited to focus the entire weekend on loving and serving those with disabilities.
Please mark your calendars, spread the word, and share your thoughts here!
Our message is titled, “Unexpected Joy; Lessons in Love from a Special Needs Child.
If you love someone with special needs, or if you have special needs, I know you have something to say. Continue Reading…
Dancing Bunny
This is one of our very early Picture Talks, from 2001. Max was 10 years old at the time. Oh, and did I mention, adorable. But anxiety ruled his, and therefore our, life.
Max and I had gone to one of our favorite discount stores. It was a risk – Max didn’t handle stores well back then. But this wasn’t exactly Tiffany’s. And to me, finding a good Continue Reading…
Refrigerators
Oh, what Max told me here! You have to know the story behind this Picture Talk. I learned something very important about Max. This is one of our very early Picture Talks. Max was just 10 years old.
If you’ve read dancing with Max, you will laugh when I tell you that Continue Reading…