As my friend does, she reminded me that all the difficult things we hold - the things that no one could possibly understand - are not the ONLY things we get to hold. We get a massive amount of joy and wonder not everyone is privy to as well.  She said something next that my memory recalls: “I just put up the damn pictures anyway.” The ones from the phone. Put up the damn pictures anyway. Print them off on nice paper and frame them. The weird and wacky and completely other kinds of pictures. We take pictures anyway, don’t we? Wouldn’t you? With syringes and monitors and oxygen in the shot.

The only spontaneous travel that happens anymore with our special special involves a 9-1-1 call.  Sounds wild, right? It’s not meant to be dramatic. We just know better now after 6+ years as a family with a medically fragile child. And when you know better, you can do better.  “Better” means we have a plan. More like a cascade of checks and assignments to get our special special out of the door. It didn’t come about because we want to be extra or because anyone is a type A personality. The plan takes shape because we learn the rhythms of our girl and what she needs to be successful.

Just like everything else with a special special, moving from one stage to the next can conjure up questions no one knew to ask. We’ve moved through several odd questions and set-ups when it comes to bath time. From towels on pillows to fighting with insurance over safety equipment, there’s a lot to say and consider. 

Teething can be more complex for a child with special needs. This post guides you through the essential steps, offering tips and tools for engaging doctors, dentists, and managing daily care to support your child through this phase.