In the end, the doctors concluded that this was a fluke, an unexplainable accident, something that just happened, a ONE IN A MILLION.

I am so proud of these two women.  They are courageous and they are strong.  Opening up, they found one another and have connected to empower other women to speak their truths.  We are NOT alone.  There is always someone out there to listen, support, encourage and fight right along side you.  We all have our own stories and our own journeys.  All of our lives are so colorful and make us who we are, and we are BEAUTIFUL.  I am so grateful for their stories, and for their courage to share.  

Everyone around me that day was a warrior… a fighter and a woman who was enduring the many battles women have to come to face. Although I felt the anxiety, emotions of fear, I also felt the strength and courage. We women are STRONG and BRAVE and we kick some serious ass. We just do…

I am so proud that Maguire continues to be himself. He makes his own choices, whether it is his clothes, hairstyle, hobbies or jewelry. I tell him often that being “different” isn’t always easy, that you are a target for judgement.

Although many may think my blog is geared towards kids with special needs, or kids who have challenges, that is only a part of it.  It is a part of it because that is a part of me and a part of my journey - a big part. My blog is THE STORIES OF MY LIFE - my journey, my truth.  I am sharing that with you. The latest truth is that I have been lost, lost with who I am and meant to be. This path is full of discovery.

 In a very affluently athletic sports community, having a kid who didn’t play sports made you abnormal. At the time, I didn’t want to be abnormal. I already had a kid that ran like a cheetah and one who was Autistic… couldn’t they just pretend to like soccer?  I

How did you know???  I get asked often how we knew… How we knew Caden was different and that we should test him.  There isn’t a black and white answer, it is combination of things. I think it is much easier if you have a first child whom you can compare milestones to.  My first child was a little out of the norm, walking at 9 months old and telling me every animal in the animal kingdom by 2 - The Pygmy Marmoset was his favorite.  

What the hell is the “box” anyway???

Caden said he wanted to “do Golf.”  Normally I would be weary, actually I probably wouldn’t sign him up at all, but he had his amazing Miss Tiffany with him.  Miss Tiffany was our gift from god, Caden’s “one on one” therapist at school. They had a very special bond and she looked after him as if he was a little brother.  She would be with him during this class, and that was all I need to know to sign him up.

His deep knowledge of animals, including dinosaurs, told him that they were the most ferocious of animals. If he could turn into a dinosaur - specifically the T-Rex, no one could hurt him.  He was the most ferocious predator, and when in this form, he could do anything. Even with the understanding of why he would do these behaviors, it took awhile … and still is hard not to get embarrassed when I see the claws come out.

I saw it coming a mile away.  Looking up and seeing a very large woman in a wheelchair next to the Lizard Lair at the zoo, I knew Caden would ask, “why is she so fat?  Is there something wrong with her? Is she going to DIE???” He is always worried and concerned and what comes out of his mouth is not always socially correct, but he says it how he sees it in the most innocent harmless manner.