Love One Another

I have consciously chosen to not speak out on the violence that continues to plague our country. I am heart broken and I was unsure if I would be able to convey my thoughts clearly. Today, with a second ambush on police officers in Baton Rouge, I felt compelled to sit down and get my thoughts out.

I am not sure where and when this country became this broken. I know one thing is certain – there is not one person or group to blame. WE ARE ALL AT FAULT! As citizens of this country, we all bear the responsibility of upholding the principles it was founded on. As humans, we all deserve respect. However, respect is not just given. It is something that is earned. If you act a fool, then you will be treated as a fool – regardless of your skin color.

I am not going to debate whether this is a race issue. Until I walk in another person’s shoes and experience what they experience on a daily basis I can have no idea how that affects them. What I do know is this. I grew up as the daughter of a police officer. My father-in-law is a police officer. The police are here to protect me. It’s who I call when there is something wrong. I was always taught to give respect. I believe that is what is missing today – RESPECT!

In my belief, the focus needs to be on working together to come up with a solution. Meeting violence with violence doesn’t solve a thing. Our children have enough to worry about. We all need to take the opportunity to teach one another instead of resorting to violence.

I see it every day. People hurting. They have no idea how to cope with it. Some are angry. Some are depressed. Some are anxious. Some resort to self-harm to alleviate the pain. Some bury it deep inside. The reality is we need to reach out to one another. It is about being kind to one another.

I pray that we can find a solution to this violence. I look at my little ones and hope and pray it is before they are old enough to understand.

Until next time… 

Hate isn't the answer

There are no words to describe the horror of the Orlando massacre. I woke up to the news that Orlando, my home when I was in college, had suffered the deadliest shooting massacre in the United States. I have tried to make sense of it all day. I haven't been able to concentrate. Additionally, when the number of victims increased, I remembered how I felt on 9/11.

When is this going to stop? All this hate. We point fingers instead of looking at ourselves. We are all responsible for our own behavior. We can't control anyone else, but we can control how we respond to others.

In the coming days, there is going to be a tidal wave of emotions that descend upon us. Each one of us needs to support one another.This attack has effected each one of us in some way. Let's choose to end this cycle of hate and violence. Let's come together because UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. It's time to remember why our forefathers created this great nation.

I pray for all involved. I pray for all the police, paramedic, fire fighters, and medical staff who worked HARD to protect each of us not only last night but each and every day. I pray that each therapist that will work with these affected people find the words to support each of these people.

I have so much to say but I am speechless at the same time.

Until next time....

It's just a word

Autism...IEP...My son is more than the words written on paper. He is funny, outgoing, lovable, and sometimes difficult. We all can be difficult. I mean he is 5 years old. When did our children have to stop being children and perform like they are adults?

The expectations at school have grown out of proportion. We are now making decisions in Kindergarten for children that somehow we as parents feel will affect the rest of their lives. Choice schools, charter schools, homeschooling, private schools...I want to scream because these are not decisions that need to be made at the age of five. When we were kids we just went to the school that we were zoned for. Now there are applications and lotteries to get into THE school. Geez, these kids are just that kids.

I see kids on a daily basis that are anxious, depressed, and lost. Yes, I said lost. They don't even know how to make some of the simplest decisions or they have so much on their plate that they don't know how to relax. When did our society turn into this? High schoolers are now taking college level courses in 9th grade. In 9th grade, I was worried about whether a boy was going to like me. College was in the back of my mind.

Ok...let me explain where this rant is stemming from. My son will be starting Kindergarten in August. I put an application in for a local charter school that has an amazing reputation. I believe that Gage would flourish in this environment. I had to turn in a copy of his IEP. I received a message today that he was ineligible due to the services his IEP requires - an IEP that was written in May 2015. I get it. The IEP is meant to protect Gage and provide services for him to be successful. But how can you make a determination off of a plan that was written last May for a child that is in a constant state of development. I would hope that any educator would be aware of child development and how quickly a child can change.

So maybe I am a little biased. But I think about all the children I see in my office weekly. The struggles their parents have with the school system. When did it become them versus us? I hold the belief that teachers play an extremely important role in our children's lives. I still remember specific teachers that touched me throughout my years in school. I know there are still those teachers like that. I have worked with them. I know they exist. Why can't we all work together for the benefit of these amazing little people and help them to flourish - even the ones with challenges. We all have challenges.

I don't want any parent to feel like I did today - helpless. My son is AWESOME because of all of his challenges and strengths. I only hope that others can see it in him.

Until next time...