I see them when we’re out and about. Those people who can’t help but stare at my boy. It starts almost the moment they become aware of him. He’s easy to notice. It doesn’t matter if he’s happy, excited, scared, or upset. They can’t help but notice him. If he’s happy or excited, they’ll see him hopping up or down, waving his arms, flapping his fingers. It’s … Continue reading Keep Staring
“They say he has autism.” I didn’t go with my wife to the appointment with the developmental pediatrician that day. I had taken a couple sick days not too long before then, and I didn’t think it would be prudent to take another off. I remember telling her I wasn’t worried about what we were going to hear. “He’s just a little behind”, I had … Continue reading Common Terms
“I bought the boy a baby doll today! He loves it!” Just what every man wants to hear, right behind “he is so cute in his frilly tutu and glittery nail polish!”. But I digress. Last week our young Master Footloose had his typical round of speech and occupational therapy. As is standard operating procedure, Mama Angel called me at work to let me know how … Continue reading Man Up
I know it’s hard When you can’t find the words to say. But the truth, my darling boy, Is that you speak volumes in your own special way. With a laugh, with a smile,… With a dance to your own happy beat, You show us all a life that couldn’t be more sweet. And even on the days when it’s hard, When you can’t get anyone … Continue reading To My Boy on His 5th Birthday
“He may be a jerk, but he’s MY jerk…” – Aristotle I’ll never forget the day Footloose met Roundbottom. It was the day after the little rotund one had made his big debut on this unsuspecting little blue marble we call Earth. As it turns out, the second delivery was a lot easier than the first, as the little cannonball shot right out with nary an issue … Continue reading Bros
As an overgrown man-child, I thought going into fatherhood that I would be able to anticipate the things my kids would go gaga-over. I’m 39 years old, and to this day I’d still rather watch cartoons than news or football, and I have collections of comics and action figures that Mama Angel swears are taking up indispensable real estate in our garage and basement. (She … Continue reading The Boy Wants What He Wants
Parenting a child with special needs can engender a good deal of anxiety in even the most self-assured person. You’re constantly questioning “am I doing enough to help him develop? Am I going to be able to get him all the therapy and equipment he needs? If something happens to me, who’s going to be able to take care of him?”. To say you feel completely … Continue reading Sorry, Not Sorry
Over the weekend, some dear friends invited us to their little boy’s first birthday party. I try never to miss these things. First of all, it gives us the chance to catch up with friends that we hardly ever see due to the fact that we have all become indentured servants to our respective tiny overlords. Second, it gives us the opportunity to get … Continue reading Ain’t That a Kick In the Head….
Before we go any further, it would probably be best to address the curly-haired elephant in the room. As I mentioned on his profile, Footloose was diagnosed autistic at around two years of age. Occasionally when we mention this to people we’ve just met, his mother and I get looks of pity and offerings of condolence, as if we had just been handed a life sentence … Continue reading He Ain’t Heavy
Fatherhood in the Trenches 