Blog
Through the blog, Rachel’s Memoir The Skies I’m Under and The Skies We’re Under podcast we share the stories of fellow parents so we can all feel a little less alone and little more understood.
Click the icon to the left to access a page of useful resources that we have compiled over the years.
Disability isn’t a Four Letter Word
I believe words are powerful although it is our attitude that makes a word either offensive or complimentary. A good friend of mine once received a call from her son's teacher explaining he had sworn in class. He had just joined a school with a specialist unit for deaf kids. The teacher described how he used the sign for 'shit' in the classroom and that it was completely [...]
Surviving Stranger Sympathy: A guide to Parents of a Disabled Child
The other day I was in our local supermarket when a stranger stopped her work, looked sympathetically between me and my son and sighed 'Aaaaaah!', as though slightly disappointed. Having read many blogs and articles I know this experience is not unique. It seems many parents become indignant and frustrated, wanting to correct the stranger with explanations like "My child [...]
Washing Machines are like Families
I have had a couple of weeks of things breaking down. Break Down #1 - The Washing Machine The kids hadn't gone back to school yet and my washing machine decided the best way to clean our clothes was to boil them. I was merrily busying myself in the kitchen when I noticed heat emanating from the washing machine. Touching the [...]
Moments of Summer
The school bell tolled at the end of term. With boxing gloves in each hand, I heard my coach shout over the furore of the crowd. I was ready. The referee called us to the centre of the ring as I excitedly bounced on my tiptoes keen to begin. Finally, I lifted my head to see my opponent. My breath [...]
Living with Wounds like Mater the Tow-Truck…
There have been occasions when it has felt as though every time I picked up my youngest son from school he stumbled out of class clutching a piece of paper. A sticker on his chest brazenly claimed, "Today I bumped my head". I'm then given all the gory details of how his most recent injury occurred. J seems to be constantly [...]
Top 10 Advantages to Parenting a Disabled Child
As well as trials, there are many advantages to loving and parenting a child with severe and complex disabilities. Here are my Top 10 Advantages. 1) Disabled Bays No more aimlessly driving around a crowded car-park. With your precious Blue Badge, you get to park in Disabled bays (assuming some unworthy driver hasn't already nabbed it). If all else fails [...]