Book Blog
Welcome to This Life We Got
For the past nine years—ever since my daughter Sienna was born—I’ve been writing our story here.
What began as a blog has unfolded more like a book: chapters of family, advocacy, education, and inclusion, written with raw honesty and heart. This space is a peek behind the curtain of our lives, where vulnerability meets persistence, and where I hope you’ll find inspiration for whatever you need today. Readers often tell me it’s the honesty that keeps them coming back. I’m so glad you’re here. Use the search bar to dive into any topic that speaks to you—family, advocacy, education, or inclusion.
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Disabling Trump’s Rhetoric
Yesterday, Donald Trump stood in front of the nation and blamed disabled people for a tragic plane crash. Instead of discussing the victims, their families, and how to prevent such tragedies in the future, advocates were forced to process yet…
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The Charter School Epidemic
If you follow our journey on social media, you know that it has not been easy to find the right school for Sienna’s education. We have lived a thousand lives since kindergarten. I have learned so much about our broken…
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The Push and Pull of Advocacy
I turn my camera off after recording the coach going through the routine for the cheer competition and look back at Sienna. She has melted to the ground and her eyes are puddling with tears. What had I missed?I step…
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Microaggressions
Sienna stands on the steps at our swim club, making her happy noises. She wades in and out of the water, giggling and splashing gently. I sit on the steps watching her. The steps are not only a destination for…
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Breaking Mom: Our Journey to Find a Path for Kindergarten
The following post has been a year in the making. It doesn’t feel right calling it a blog post, because it’s so much more. It’s my tribute to Sienna’s kindergarten experience, and the year that almost broke me. Whenever I…
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The Kindergarten Predicament
This World Down Syndrome Day, I wanted to visually share the challenges we have faced navigating Kindgerten, in spite of the fact that this very capable little girl is ready to learn and soar. Look for an in depth blog…
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The Endless Battle of Advocacy
I will never stop fighting for you. You are perfect just as you are. You are perceptive. It has to be frustrating to have people constantly underestimate you. You have an intuition about people, places, and nature. When you assert…
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The Realization of a Greater Life
The night of Sienna’s birth, I remember watching Jason sleep and staring into space, a million thoughts rushing through my head. No one knew yet. It was our family’s information to process and digest. I am ashamed of the worries…
