Get Happy and Stay Safe

What makes you happy?  For me, it’s family celebrations – like our son’s upcoming 28th birthday.  It’s rewarding work, like my coaching and upcoming webinar for parents.  And it’s simple things like a thought-provoking conversation, warmer temperatures that make being outside really nice, and phone calls from our adult kids just to say hello.

I hope you’re happy this week and enjoying some of the above – plus the support of friends and family, and maybe even a few other good things. As we discuss in this recent interview on the Bite Your Tongue podcast, it’s especially important for caregivers to “be good” as well as “do good.”  To build lives that allow for both challenge and rest.

I’m happy to share today’s newsletter – which offers information and resources to help both kids and parents.  It spotlights a new Broadway play that makes me feel truly seen (even though I haven’t yet seen it), and some helpful tools for keeping our kids safe.  It also details a few offers from me to enhance your happiness.

As always, please reach out if you have questions or want more info on anything.  Connect with me anytime via email to start a conversation.  And feel free to share this email with others who may benefit.

FREE Webinar May 6 on “Feeling Whole.”

Sharing what I’ve learned about raising people with special needs is something I’m passionate about.

It’s the driving force behind this newsletter, my new book, and a LIVE webinar I’m hosting on Monday, May 6 from 7-8pm Eastern Time.

I’ll shine a light on how to gain fulfillment as a parent and person entrenched in caregiving responsibilities. It’s definitely not easy, but it can be made less difficult. And I can’t wait to talk about how!

Learn more here.  Hope to see you then!

Ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.

Mothers of kids with disabilities have finally made it to Broadway!  And boy does it feel good to be included hnd to hear about a show that spotlights our “normal” in “surprising, human, relatable and gorgeous” ways (how about that for a review).

“Mary Jane” opened this month on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre as part of Manhattan Theatre Club's 2023–2024 season. It’s about a single mom, her young son with cerebral palsy, and the community of women that becomes her chosen family and supports her as she “strives for grace.” 

Starring Rachel Adams and a talented cast of other actresses, this one is on my “must see” list – and soon.  Here’s more on what makes this production special. Stay tuned for my own review ASAP.

WATCH HERE

Honoring libraries and YOU.

Is your local library inclusive and welcoming to people of all abilities?  A place where folks can learn and grow and participate in events that are accessible to all?  In celebration of April as National Library Month, I’d like to honor these community resources (and readers like you) by donating a copy of my book, Embracing Another Normal, to their collection. Doing so provides free and easy access to the stories and strategies outlined in the book and helps build resilience one reader at a time.  Nominate your library below, and the rest is on me!

Tools for staying safe.

April is also Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month and a special chance to help prevent and address sexual violence against individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Here are three handouts for parents to facilitate important conversations about online safety, body awareness, and consent.  Difficult conversations, for sure, but staying silent isn’t an option since people with I/DD are at greatly increased risk of experiencing sexual assault.  Learn more from this story by National Public Radio.