Check out my post on Parents Together talking about advocating for children with disabilities in school settings and with medical professionals!
Parents Together
Published Essays
Remembering Kindness
Last month, my publicist sent me an article request from Kind Over Matter. “Their main focus is kindness,” she said. I immediately thought about a difficult moment I had when the boys were young and the kindness of a complete stranger. It was something I’d never written about before. Check out Remembering Kindness and learn about this unforgettable experience.
For recent interviews and upcoming book events, check out my Media/Events page.
The Rumpus
Many of you know that I’ve been working on a memoir for years. Today, I’m honored to have an essay up on The Rumpus that speaks to the heart and soul of the memoir. Please take a look at Death, Doorways, and Dance and feel free to share.
Thank you.
Joanne
Be Kind
As summer was winding down, I thought about Sebastian’s growth and remembered an essay I wrote when he was still in middle school. I used this piece for an audition and then put it aside. I’m happy to say you can find the essay here on Motherwell today.
Revisiting this essay allowed me to appreciate how much he continues to grow, and how he has found kindness in high school.
Wishing everyone a wonderful school year!
In the Middle of the Night
All parents have middle of the night illness stories: fevers, earaches, and all sorts of messy situations. No one is exempt. We are united by anxiety and lack of sleep. Parents of children with special needs or chronic medical conditions have their own unique late night challenges.
I am grateful for every uneventful evening. My boys have always been cooperative about keeping a reasonable bedtime schedule. But some nights just don’t go as planned.
My essay, “A Glimpse” is featured in the January issue of Literary Mama.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month
I’m honored to be up on On Parenting from The Washington Post today, talking about epilepsy and the need for better treatment options.
A Taboo Matter
When my son Benjamin started preschool, I met some moms who have, as I like to say, kept me off a paid professional couch. I can tell these women anything. Fourteen years later I am still grateful for their friendship. Because of them it never occurred to me that not everyone has friends or family who are willing to listen to all the ugly truths that sometimes define special needs parenting. I mean, I’m Italian. I was raised to talk. About everything. Continue reading
Making Friends
Last week I went to Sebastian’s school for Back to School Night. I sat in his classroom listening as the other mothers discussed how difficult it was for their children to make friends. Yes, I know all about that. I do what I can to help Sebastian. I immediately offered to exchange contact information with the other moms. Continue reading
To Sebastian’s Kindergarten Teacher
Everyone in special education knows transitions are difficult. When Sebastian was entering kindergarten we agreed to place him in an inclusion classroom. I have always been a proponent of inclusion. Sebastian had made great gains in a general education preschool, but I was still terrified of kindergarten. Sebastian’s skills were so unbalanced. Lacking an obvious better placement option, we chose inclusion. The experience soured early into the school year.
Feeding Tube Phobia
When you have a child with complex medical needs decisions are hard to make. At least they are if you’re the parent. Doctors tend to see things differently. Benjamin has brought so many specialists into our lives. I take these doctor/patient/parent relationships seriously. No matter how many visits over multiple years, I’m never quite sure we all truly understand each other. Continue reading
Special-Education Mom 